[Childhood infection and endothelial dysfunction: a potential synergistic link in atherosclerosis]. / Infezione e disfunzione endoteliale nell'infanzia: un potenziale sinergismo nell'aterosclerosi.

The prodromal stage of atherosclerotic lesions is already formed during human fetal development. The presence of infections during childhood may increase synergistically the progression of atherogenesis. After delivery, especially those children exposed to severe maternal hypercholesterolemia should be followed up for the onset and development of acute and chronic infections and be included in clinical and noninvasive examinations of vascular function.