[Association between a cardiovascular risk score and early markers of atherosclerotic disease in Chilean children].

BACKGROUND

A cardiovascular risk score for children, that includes traditional risk factors, obesity, sedentary habits and a family history of cardiovascular disease, has been recently proposed by Spanish researchers.

AIM: To apply this score in school age children in Santiago de Chile and correlate its results with markers of subclinical atherosclerotic disease.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of data obtained from 209 children, aged 11.5 ± 2 years, studied between 2005 and 2006. Weight, height, blood pressure, ultrasound measurement of carotid intimamedia thickness and fow mediated dilatation of brachial artery and ultrasensible C reactive protein (us PCR) were measured. The Spanish cardiovascular risk score was calculated and correlated with ultrasound parameters and C reactive protein.

RESULTS

According to the score, 173 children (83%) had a low cardiovascular risk, 28 (13%) an intermediate risk and 8 (4%) a high risk. There was no association between the cardiovascular risk score and carotid intima-media thickness, fow mediated arterial dilatation and us PCR.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant association was observed between the proposed cardiovascular risk score and early markers of atherosclerotic disease in this group of children.