Physicians comparing echocardiograms of obese and non-obese children found increased risks for early onset cardiovascular disease. Changes to the shape and function of obese children’s hearts were similar to those seen in obese adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.

While left ventricular ejection fraction was comparable between obese and non-obese children, other markers, such as blood pressure, were increased in obese children.

Using tissue Doppler imaging, 2D echocardiograms and 2D-speckled tracking analysis, the German research team found enlarged left- and right-sided cardiac chambers and thicker left ventricular walls in obese children. These patients had increased left ventricular mass as a consequence, Norman Mangner, MD, of the University of Leipzig, and colleagues wrote.

Obese and overweight children comprised 61 of the 101 children recruited. Both groups were homogenously Caucasian. The research team, however, noted that the changes to cardiac geometry and function were comparable to those seen in other studies.

Researchers also collected metabolic data and found elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, insulin and glucose in obese children. However, non-obese children had higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Obese children also showed decreased regional basoseptal strain and peak systolic velocity. Left ventricle strain was reduced in longitudinal and circumferential data derived from 2D speckle tracking. Mangner et al wrote that diastolic function was likewise impaired in obese children.

They noted that there was a difference in radial strain seen in prior studies, but suggested it may be due to different techniques used. Mangner et al wrote that 3D techniques may be advantageous. “[O]ut-of-plane motion limitation as the heart moves in and out of the imaging plane during the systole and diastole is not recognized in 2D echocardiography. However, to obtain reliable strain information, a frame rate >40 frames per second is required. Such a 3D frame rate or volume rate is currently not feasible.”

The findings were published online Oct. 8 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Imaging.