Clinical Significance of Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Childhood Obesity Obezite Hastalığı ile Takipli Olan Hastalardaki İnternal Karotis Arterin İntima Kalınlığının Takip Açısından Önemi

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Menentoğlu M. E., Akyol B., PALABIYIK F., Menentoğlu B., HATİPOĞLU S. S., PAPATYA ÇAKIR E. D., ...Daha Fazla

Medical Journal of Bakirkoy, cilt.22, sa.2, ss.142-146, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 22 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.4274/bmj.galenos.2025.2024.4-8
  • Dergi Adı: Medical Journal of Bakirkoy
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.142-146
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Carotid intima-media thickness, childhood obesity, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between carotid artery intima-media thickness (c-IMT) and increased body mass index (BMI), particularly in the context of childhood obesity. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the potential utility of c-IMT as a parameter for followup and monitoring during diagnosis and management. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the pediatric endocrinology unit and the well child polyclinic between January and August 2017. A total of 96 children aged 6 to 18 years were included. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, and waist circumference, were recorded, and BMI Z-scores were calculated accordingly. Biochemical tests included fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. c-IMT was measured using B-mode ultrasonography with a 7.5 MHz linear probe, targeting both the common and internal carotid arteries. Morphological features of the artery, including luminal echogenicity and intima-media surfaces, were also evaluated. Results: c-IMT values were significantly higher in obese children compared with the control group. There were no significant differences between the study groups in mean age or gender. When the two groups were compared, there was a significant increase in c-IMT levels among those with high ALT levels compared with those with normal ALT levels. A correlation between high AST levels and c-IMT was observed only in the obese patient group. A threshold of 0.8 mm was set as the upper limit for normal c-IMT values. No patient had a c-IMT measurement above 0.8 mm. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that increased c-IMT in obese children may serve as an early indicator of endothelial dysfunction and preclinical atherosclerosis. Measuring c-IMT could be a non-invasive and practical method for risk stratification and early cardiovascular monitoring in pediatric obesity. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to establish its predictive value.