The effect of childhood obesity on cardiac functions

Abstract

Obesity is a metabolic disorder defined as excessive accumulation of body fat, which is made up of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors and has various social, psychological, and medical complications. Childhood obesity is a major indicator of adult obesity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cardiac functions via electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (ECHO), and treadmill test in childhood obesity. A patient group consisting of 30 obese children and a control group consisting of 30 non-obese children were included in the study. The age range was between 8 and 17 years. Anthropometric measurements, physical examination, ECG, ECHO, and treadmill test were done in all patients. P-wave dispersion (PD) was found to be statistically significantly high in obese patients. In ECHO analysis, we found that end-diastolic diameter, end-systolic diameter, left ventricle posterior wall thickness, and interventricular septum were significantly greater in obese children. In treadmill test, exercise capacity was found to be significantly lower and the hemodynamic response to exercise was found to be defective in obese children. Various cardiac structural and functional changes occur in childhood obesity and this condition includes important cardiovascular risks. PD, left ventricle end-systolic and end-diastolic diameter, left ventricle posterior wall thickness, interventricular septum thickness, exercise capacity, and hemodynamic and ECG measurements during exercise testing are useful tests to determine cardiac dysfunctions and potential arrhythmias even in early stages of childhood obesity. Early recognition and taking precautions for obesity during childhood is very important to intercept complications that will occur in adulthood.

Evaluation of Atrial Electromechanical Delay in Children with Obesity

“…As a result, the autonomic disparity noticed in obese subjects may have an effect on intra-atrial and inter-atrial conduction times, and leave them prone to develop atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation [19]. Uner et al reported that PWD was significantly higher in obese patients [37]. Similarly, in this study, we found that Pmax, Pmin and PWD were significantly higher in obese patients and there was an important correlation between inter-atrial and intra-atrial EMD and PWD.…”

Overfeeding during Lactation in Rats is Associated with Cardiovascular Insulin Resistance in the Short-Term

“…In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that early overnutrition in rats is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity in the short-term, both in the heart and in the aorta. This suggests that in a context of increased nutrients and energy supply, alterations of insulin signaling in the vasculature and heart arise early, possibly explaining the finding of heart dysfunction in obese children [53][54][55][56] and highlighting the importance of an early intervention.…”

Atropine-Induced Bigeminy by Treating Bradycardia-Dependent Ectopy

“…With regard to our case, in the patient´s medical history we found he suffered from obesity (BMI > 95 th percentile), being classified as ASA-I when perhaps should have been scored as ASA-II. Obesity may be associated to increased heart rate, hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, all of which may lead to ventricular ectopy and tachycardia [20,21]; however, postoperative echocardiogram revealed normal left ventricular dimension or wall thickness. We also found that the child lost his mother-due to cancer-few months before the surgery.…”