PULSATILE ARTERIAL PRESSURE (PAP) AND VASCULAR REMODELLING INDICES: SEARCH OF EARLY SYMPTOMS OF CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Objective: To determine the standards of pulsatile arterial pressure (PAP) in healthy children and the possibility to use PAP as an indicator of the condition of vessels in children with increased body mass index (BMI). Methods: The results of non-invasive arteriography in children aged 3–17 years with normal (apparently healthy children, n =291) and increased BMI (n =211) are presented. A group of children with normal BMI was formed by dispensary examinations in schools and kindergartens. Children with increased BMI (secondary nature of overweight and obesity are excluded) were observed as outpatients. The PAP analysis was carried out in regard to age, sex, height, and BMI. The interaction of PAP with other hemodynamics and vascular remodelling indices was investigated. Results: PAP percentile tables in healthy children by age and growth groups are obtained. PAP above the 90th percentile is diagnosed in 7.2% of apparently healthy children, in 7.7% of overweight and in 22.4% of obese children. The dependence of the PAP rate on age, height and BMI is shown. The connection of high PAP in overweight children with signs of the vascular wall remodelling is established. Conclusion: The presented percentile tables of PAP rates in healthy children with normal BMI can be used to detect increased PAP in children at risk of cardiovascular disease developing.

Keywords

• children
• body mass index
• obesity
• pulsatile arterial pressure
• arteriography
• cardiovascular diseases
• prevention