Anthropometric demographic, and cardiovascular predictors of left ventricular mass in young children

Left ventricular (LV) mass is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Few longitudinal studies have examined predictors of LV mass in children. This study assessed the contributions of anthropometric, demographic, and cardiovascular parameters (at rest and after exposure to laboratory stressors) as predictors of LV mass 3.6 years after the initial examination in a sample of 68 Caucasian and African-American children 7.9 +/- 0.7 years old. At the initial examination, all subjects had standard anthropometrics measured and hemodynamics assessed at rest and during 3 stressors: postural change, forehead cold stimulation, and treadmill exercise. On the follow-up examination 3 to 4 years later, echocardiographic evaluations were conducted to estimate LV mass and related LV geometry. LV mass and LV internal diameter in diastole were adjusted for linear growth (LV mass/height(2.7) and LV internal dimension during diastole/height(0.80), respectively). Hierarchical stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted using parameters significant in univariate comparisons (p <0.05). Initial weight (R(2) = 0.38), height (R(2) = 0.42), and cardiac output reactivity to standing and treadmill exercise (final model R(2) = 0.55) were significant predictors of LV mass, whereas LV mass/height(2.7) was predicted by initial adiposity (R(2) = 0.07) and cardiac output and systolic pressure reactivity to postural change (final model R(2) = 0.25). Follow-up relative wall thickness was significantly predicted by ethnicity (African-Americans greater than Caucasians, R(2) = 0.15), adiposity (R(2) = 0.20), and systolic pressure reactivity to postural change (final model R(2) = 0.28). These findings suggest the potential benefit of weight control in childhood as a primary prevention for later onset of cardiovascular disease.