All issues > Volume 48(7); 2005

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2005;48(7):745-752. Published online July 15, 2005.

Measurement of the Common Carotid Artery by Ultrasound as a Predictor of Atherosclerosis in Obese Adolescents

Ye Jin YJ Kim¹, Yoon Hee YH Shim¹, Joung Hyun JH Yoo², Keun K Lee¹, Young Mi YM Hong¹

¹Departments of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
²Departments of Radiology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Young Mi YM Hong ,Email: hongym@chollian.net

Abstract

Purpose
: Adolescent obesity is known to be associated with complications such as hypertension, coronary artery disease and insulin resistance. We measured the common carotid artery by ultrasound as a predictor of atherosclerosis, and investigated the relationship between carotid artery parameters and serum cytokines in obese adolescents.
Methods
: Twenty-nine obese adolescents(16-17 years old, obesity index>130 percent) and twenty- seven normal controls were included. Obesity index and body mass index were calculated from their height and weight. Skin fold thickness was measured at the triceps, and fat mass and fat distribution by bioelectrical impedence analysis. Blood pressure was measured at resting state and serum lipid, insulin, and homocysteine levels after a 12-hour fasting period. Intimal wall thickness, systolic and diastolic diameters of the common carotid artery were measured by ultrasound, and compliance and distensibility calculated by equation.
Results
: Systolic and diastolic diameters of the carotid artery significantly correlated with arm circumference, body mass index, fat distribution and fat mass. The higher systolic blood pressure was, the larger systolic and diastolic diameter. The higher diastolic blood pressure was, the larger carotid intimal thickness. Insulin levels had positive correlations with systolic, diastolic diameters and serum homocysteine level with intimal thickness.
Conclusion
: The carotid artery diameter significantly increased with the degree of obesity and blood pressure. The carotid intimal wall thickness significantly correlated with diastolic blood pressure. Measurement of carotid artery thickness, insulin and homocysteine levels might be useful to predict the development of coronary artery disease.

Keywords :Carotid artery , Intima-media thickness , Atherosclerosis , Ultrasonography , Obesity