Evaluation of carotid intima-media thickness and carotid arterial stiffness in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy

Background:Adenotonsillar hypertrophy can produce cardiopulmonary disease in children.However,it is unclear whether adenotonsillar hypertrophy causes atherosclerosis.This study evaluated carotid intimamedia thickness and carotid arterial stiffness in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.Methods:The study included 40 children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy(age:5-10 years)and 36 healthy children with similar age and body mass index.Systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and pulse pressure were measured in all subjects.Carotid intima-media thickness,carotid arterial systolic diameter,and carotid arterial diastolic diameter were measured using a high-resolution ultrasound device.Based on these measurements,carotid arterial strain,carotid artery distensibility,beta stiffness index,and elasticity modulus were calculated.Results:Carotid intima-media thickness was greater in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy(0.36±0.05 mm vs.0.34±0.04 mm,P=0.02)compared to healthy controls.Beta stiffness index(3.01±1.22 vs.2.98±0.98,P=0.85),elasticity modulus(231.39±99.23 vs.226.46±83.20,P=0.88),carotid arterial strain(0.17±0.06 vs.0.17±0.04,P=0.95),and carotid artery distensibility(13.14±3.88 vs.12.92±3.84,P=0.75)were similar between children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and the healthy controls.Conclusions:The present study revealed increased carotid intima-media thickness in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.The risk of subclinical atherosclerosis may be higher in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.