title: Epicardial adipose tissue and signs of metabolic syndrome in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the possible correlation between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness and predictive parameters for metabolic syndrome (MS) in overweight/obese prepubertal children.
  
  
  METHODS
  73 prepubertal children, average age of 8.22 years, with no endocrine or syndromic causes of obesity or under drug therapy for chronic disease were enrolled. Weight, height, body circumferences and skinfolds' thickness were measured. BMI, BMI z score (z-BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) were calculated. Standard MS-related laboratory parameters were assessed. Finally, all children underwent echocardiographic measurement of EAT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive correlation between EAT and z-BMI was found only among overweight/obese children (r = 0.43, p = 0.001). In particular, data showed that 89 % of our sample had a waist (W) >90th percentile. Statistical differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP; p < 0.01) and EAT (p = 0.02) were observed on comparing W <90th percentile vs W >90th percentile patients. Besides, in patients with W >90th percentile and family history of risk factors for MS, the value of EAT correlated positively with z-BMI, W, WtHR, triglycerides (Tg), insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and negatively with HDL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EAT and the markers of MS probably share the same pathogenetic factors. Further studies might elucidate whether EAT deserves to be included among the diagnostic factors of MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Medical Pathophysiology, Rome "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbaro
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Dietetics and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, Rome "Sapienza" University, Viale Regina Elena 324, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piedimonte
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Dietetics and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, Rome "Sapienza" University, Viale Regina Elena 324, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Podagrosi
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Dietetics and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, Rome "Sapienza" University, Viale Regina Elena 324, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mercurio
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Dietetics and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, Rome "Sapienza" University, Viale Regina Elena 324, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Rome "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Avanzo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Dietetics and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, Rome "Sapienza" University, Viale Regina Elena 324, Rome, Italy. andrea.vania@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vania
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Children; Epicardial adipose tissue thickness; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity