Polymorphisms in genes that affect the variation of lipid levels in a Brazilian pediatric population with sickle cell disease: rs662799 APOA5 and rs964184 ZPR1.

This cross-sectional study investigated associations between SNPs in metabolizing lipid genes, alpha-thalassemia and laboratory parameters in two forms of sickle cell disease (SCD), sickle cell anemia (SCA) and hemoglobin SC disease (HbSC) in a pediatric population. Among the groups SCA and HbSC was found a higher proportion of increased triglycerides (TG) in SCA. High levels of TG were significantly associated with lower hemoglobin (p = 0.006) and HDL-C (p = 0.037), higher white blood cell count (p = 0.027), LDH (p = 0.004) and bilirubins (p < 0.05) in SCD. Patients with HDL-C ≤40 mg/dL had higher markers hemolytic levels. Therapy of HU significantly influenced several hematological and biochemical parameters but not lipid fractions. Genotypes of the APOA5 rs662799 were not associated with lipid levels. The G-risk allele rs964184/ZPRI ZNF259/ZPR1 gene (GC + GG genotypes) was associated with increased levels of TG in children ≥10 years old (p = 0.045) and the atherogenic ratio TG/HDL-C (p = 0.032) in SCD. The use of HU improves levels of hemolysis and inflammation markers in SCD with high TG and, while not interfering with lipid levels, seems to overlap the effect of the G-risk allele in on them. This study reported for the first time that rs964184 SNP could be a genetic modifier of TG in SCD.

Waist circumference as high blood pressure predictor in school age children.

Childhood hypertension is becoming more common with the increasing numbers of child obesity, which has encouraged new studies to identify a good anthropometric marker for high blood pressure levels. The objective this study was to identify the best anthropometric predictor of risk of hypertension in children between 8-10 years of age. The Children were evaluated for socioeconomic status and their blood pressure (BP), weight, height, waist circumference (WC) and percentage of body fat (PBF) were measured. The study included 445 children, of which 50.1% were females. The prevalence of obesity defined by body mass index (BMI) was 14.6%. Increased BP was found in 3.4% and 2.2% of the children, considering the pre-hypertension and hypertension classifications respectively. The arithmetic mean of BP value correlated significantly with BMI, WC and PBF. After height control, the correlations that were maintained significant were between WC and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and between WC and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The variable with the highest predictive power of the occurrence of hypertension was WC. The results indicate that, in this population of children between 8 and 10 years old, WC is a measurement of higher value in predicting increased BP.

Waist circumference as high blood pressure predictor in school age children / Circunferência da cintura como preditora da pressão arterial elevada em escolares

Abstract Childhood hypertension is becoming more common with the increasing numbers of child obesity, which has encouraged new studies to identify a good anthropometric marker for high blood pressure levels. The objective this study was to identify the best anthropometric predictor of risk of hypertension in children between 8-10 years of age. The Children were evaluated for socioeconomic status and their blood pressure (BP), weight, height, waist circumference (WC) and percentage of body fat (PBF) were measured. The study included 445 children, of which 50.1% were females. The prevalence of obesity defined by body mass index (BMI) was 14.6%. Increased BP was found in 3.4% and 2.2% of the children, considering the pre-hypertension and hypertension classifications respectively. The arithmetic mean of BP value correlated significantly with BMI, WC and PBF. After height control, the correlations that were maintained significant were between WC and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and between WC and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The variable with the highest predictive power of the occurrence of hypertension was WC. The results indicate that, in this population of children between 8 and 10 years old, WC is a measurement of higher value in predicting increased BP.

Resumo A hipertensão na infância está aumentando com a epidemia de obesidade infantil, o que tem incentivado estudos para identificar um bom marcador antropométrico dos níveis pressóricos aumentados. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar o melhor preditor antropométrico de risco de hipertensão arterial em crianças entre 8 e 10 anos de idade. Foi realizada avaliação socioeconômica e aferidos pressão arterial (PA), peso, estatura, circunferência da cintura (CC) e percentual de gordura corporal (%GC). Das 445 crianças que participaram do estudo, 50,1% eram do sexo feminino. A prevalência de obesidade definida pelo índice de massa corporal (IMC) foi 14,6%. A PA aumentada foi observada em 3,4% e 2,2% das crianças, considerando as classificações pré-hipertensão e hipertensão, respectivamente. As médias dos valores pressóricos correlacionaram-se significativamente com IMC, CC, e %GC e, após o controle da estatura, as correlações que se mantiveram significativas foram entre CC e pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e CC e pressão arterial diastólica (PAD). A variável que apresentou maior poder preditivo da ocorrência de hipertensão foi a CC. Os resultados indicam que na população estudada de crianças entre 8 e 10 anos de idade a CC é uma medida de valor superior para predizer PA aumentada.