Background/Aims: Homocysteine is an important and independent risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of homocysteine in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and their relation to carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT) and left ventricular (LV) function. Methods: This study included 36 children with classic CAH and 36 healthy children. All underwent anthropometric evaluation. Measurement of serum levels of total homocysteine was carried out. The LV mass (LVM) and function were assessed using conventional echocardiography. Duplex ultrasonography was used to measure CA-IMT. Results: Compared to the controls, the patients had higher homocysteine levels (p = 0.001), a thicker CA-IMT (p = 0.01), a higher LVM index (LVMI) (p = 0.001), and a prolonged mitral deceleration time (DcT) (p = 0.01). Abnormalities were marked in children who were uncontrolled on medical treatment. In multivariate analysis, homocysteine levels were significantly correlated with systolic (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.10–1.18; p = 0.01) and diastolic blood pressures (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.45–2.4; p = 0.01), atherogenic index (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.33–2.89; p = 0.01), HOMA-IR (OR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.04–1.34; p = 0.001), LVMI (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1–1.13; p = 0.001), mitral DcT (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.15–2.05; p = 0.01), and CA-IMT (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.16–1.57; p = 0.01). Conclusions: Serum total homocysteine was elevated in children with classic CAH, particularly in those with poor control on medical treatment, and it was correlated with CA-IMT, LVMI, and mitral DcT. Measurement of homocysteine in children with CAH may help to identify those at high risk of developing LV dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Objective: Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is an emerging cardio-metabolic risk factor and has been shown to be related to atherosclerosis. EFT has not been studied in the context of CAH. This study aimed to evaluate EFT in children with CAH and its relation to carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT) and left ventricular (LV) functions. Methods: Thirty-six children with classical CAH were compared with 36 healthy controls. All patients had confirmed CAH and were receiving steroid substitution therapy. Patients and controls underwent anthropometric evaluation, measurement of fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). LV functions and EFT were assessed using conventional echocardiography. Duplex ultrasonography was used to measure CA-IMT. Results: Compared to controls, patients had greater EFT (p=0.001), CA-IMT (p=0.01), LV mass index (LVMI) (p=0.001) and prolonged mitral deceleration time (DcT) (p=0.01). CAH patients also had significantly worse HOMA-IR (p=0.001) than controls. Abnormalities were worse in uncontrolled CAH on treatment. Multivariate analysis in CAH subjects showed EFT correlated positively with waist circumference odds ratio (OR) [OR=1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.14; p=0.01], 17-hydroxyprogesterone [OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.33-2.89; p=0.05], testosterone concentration (OR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.55-2.13; p=0.01), LVMI (OR=1.14; 95% Cl: 1.08-1.13; p=0.01), mitral DcT (OR=2.25; 95% CI: 1.15-2.05; p=0.01) and CA-IMT (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.15-2.05; p=0.01). Conclusion: EFT is elevated in children with classical CAH, particularly in those with poor control, and is correlated with CA-IMT, LV mass and mitral DcT. Measurement of EFT in CAH children may help to identify those at high risk of developing LV dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Children with newly diagnosed GD may have significant subclinical changes in LV structure and function (diastolic and global). TDI is more sensitive than conventional Doppler in detecting LV dysfunction. These findings highlight the importance of early monitoring of children with GD for left ventricular mass index and diastolic function. What is Known: • There is an increased risk for cardiac abnormalities in children with Graves' disease (GD). • Limited studies assessed left ventricular function in patients with GD. What is New: • Children with newly diagnosed GD may have significant subclinical changes in left ventricular structure and functions. • Children with newly diagnosed GD should be monitored for left ventricular mass index and diastolic function.

Objective: Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is an emerging cardiometabolic risk factor and has been shown to be related to atherosclerosis. EFT has not been studied in the context of CAH. This study aimed to evaluate EFT in children with CAH and its relation to carotid intima media thickness (CA-IMT) and left ventricular functions. Methods: 36 children with classic CAH were compared with 36 healthy controls. All children had confirmed CAH and received steroid substitution therapy. Patients and controls underwent anthropometric evaluation, measurement of fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Left ventricular functions and EFT were assessed using conventional echocardiography. Duplex ultrasonography was used to measure CA-IMT. Results: Compared to controls, patients had higher EFT (p=0.001), HOMA-IR(p=0.001), CA-IMT (p=0.01), LVMI (p=0.001) and prolonged mitral deceleration time (DcT) (p=0.01).Abnormalities were marked in uncontrolled children on medical treatment. In multivariate analysis in children with classic CAH , EFT correlated positively with waist circumference (OR =1.9,95%Cl=1.07-1.14.p=001), 17-OHP; nmol/l (OR =1.6; 95% CI = 1.33-2.89, p = 0.05), testosterone , ng/dl(OR =1.7; 95% CI = 1.55-2.13, p = 0.01), LVMI (OR=1.14, 95%Cl=1.08-1.13, p=0.0001) , mitral DcT (OR=2.25;95% CI=1.15-2.05, p=0.01) and CA-IMT (OR=1.6 ;95% CI=1.15-2.05, p=0.01). Conclusions: EFT may be elevated in children with classic CAH particularly those with poor control and is correlated to carotid intima media thickness, left ventricular mass and mitral deceleration time. Measurement of EFT by Echocardiography in CAH children may help to identify those at high risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis.