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Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the health-promoting behavior of the preschool children (aged 3–6 y) of Polish health care professionals (HCPs). Methods: The study was conducted by means of quantitative research on a group of 386 individuals, using an Internet-based survey. Results: The ideal cardiovascular health model was determined in the case of 22 children (5.6%). The collected data revealed that, when regarding the recommended level of physical activity, children from HCP families meet the American Heart Association criteria much more often than their peers from other study populations (56.5% vs. 16.6%). In our study, more girls than boys participated in organized activities (60.2% vs. 50.3%, p = 0.05). There was no correlation between achieving adequate levels of physical activity and the BMI (p > 0.1). Overweight children had a more balanced diet than children with a normal body weight (p = 0.009). Conclusions: The obtained results allowed us to make the conclusion that there is a need to implement educational and preventive measures on a large scale, while some health-promoting behaviors, especially those concerning proper nutrition, require major modifications, even in HCP families.

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the adult population. The prevention of cardiovascular diseases depends to a great extent on eliminating risk factors already present in early childhood, thus avoiding secondary cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to evaluate selected indicators of health status as risk factors for the development of CVD in a paediatric population from Kutno district as part of the project: 'You live for yourself and others-take care of your health'. Material and methods. The study included 101 children aged from one to 11 years. All children underwent a physical examination. Based on a questionnaire conducted among the parents of the children, information was obtained regarding perinatal history, physical activity, time spent in front of a television, computer or tablet, eating habits, exposure to passive smoking and any family history of CVD. Laboratory tests were also performed, including a lipid profile. A 12-lead electrocardiogram and a screening echocardiographic examination were carried out. Results. On physical examination, 9.9% of the children were observed to be overweight and 12.87% to be obese. In 3.96% of this group of children, arterial hypertension was observed. In laboratory tests, significant abnormalities were observed in the lipid profiles. Of the children with an abnormal lipid profile, 11.5% were also found to be overweight or obese or with hypertension. The questionnaire revealed that the average daily time the children spent in physical activity was 4.15 hours. More than half of the children ate fast food occasionally or regularly. Exposure to passive smoking was revealed in 15.84% of the children, and a family history of CVD was identified in 17.82% of the children. Conclusions. The health of Kutno district children is similar to the health of children from other developed countries. Despite better physical activity and normal glucose values, other risk factors did not differ significantly from other paediatric populations.

Background: Adipose tissue is not only a storage place for fat, but also an endocrine organ, secreting bioactive molecules which influence body metabolism. Such molecules are known as adipocytokines. In the past years the coincidence between adipocytokines and fetal growth restriction disorders was found. The aim of the study was to estimate serum levels of adiponectin, leptin and resistin in children born small for gestational age, compared to children born at an appropriate size for gestational age. Methods: The study consisted of 35 children aged seven to nine years, born SGA (small for gestational age) on term and 25 healthy children (14 girls, 11 boys), born with proper birthweight (AGA—appropriate for gestational age)–control group. Results: Adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly higher in the SGA group compared to the AGA group (p = 0.023, p = 0.018 respectively). The resistin values were comparable in both groups of patients. There was a positive correlation between serum leptin concentration and current body weight in SGA group (r = 0.28; p = 0.108). In turn, adiponectin levels in this group of patients negatively correlated with actual body weight (r = −0.51; p = 0.002). The negative correlation between body mass index and plasma adiponectin levels was found only in children born SGA. SGA children had significantly higher values of diastolic blood pressure. There was negative correlation between serum adiponectin level and systolic blood pressure in SGA children. In the SGA group the phenomenon of catch-up growth was observed in 32 children. Conclusions: Children born SGA have abnormal adipose tissue biomarkers profiles.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Intima–media complex thickness (IMT), selected metabolic parameters and health behaviors were assessed in the course of the study. Methods: The study included study group, which consisted of 45 patients with JIA and 37 healthy age- and sex-matched children in the control group. Analyses in both groups included anthropometric parameters, laboratory tests, IMT and a questionnaire on exposure to modifiable CVD risk factors. Results: The study confirmed that CVD risk factors were present in both groups of patients. Significantly more children with JIA had abnormal BMI (p = 0.006) compared to the control group. Children in the study group were more likely to consume fruit regularly (p = 0.021) and less likely to consume fast food (p = 0.011) and sweetened beverages (p = 0.042) than children in the control group. Only 1 patient with JIA met criteria for ideal cardiovascular health. Dietary habits were not associated with IMT values, BMI, presence of joint pain or biochemical parameters in the study group. Conclusions: Patients with JIA are exposed to cardiovascular risk factors equally to their healthy peers. Ideal cardiovascular health should be pursued in the pediatric population with particular attention paid to patients with chronic diseases (i.e., JIA). The application of carotid artery IMT measurement in the assessment of CVD risk requires studies on a larger group of patients.

BackgroundThere is growing body of evidence that adults who were diagnosed as children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have significantly increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Risk factors including prolonged sedentary screen time, insufficient physical activity and unhealthy diet are even more essential in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is lack of simple and reliable prognostic marker identifying children at higher risk of early development of cardiovascular disease. Non-invasive tests utilized in adults to screen for early phase of atherosclerosis involve examination of the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Only a few research projects have evaluated performance of cIMT measurement in JIA patients and the results remain inconclusive.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of cIMT testing as a screening method to determine cardiovascular risk in JIA patients. The secondary objective was to assess the frequency of risk factors related to the patients’ lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe study involved forty-five patients at mean age 13.4±3.2 years who were already diagnosed with JIA and thirty-seven age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Children were enrolled in the study between March 2020 and September 2021. Study database included demographic data, conventional risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease (e.g. abnormal body mass index and exposure to secondhand smoking), inflammatory markers and disease activity score. Measurements of cIMT were performed by a qualified physician according to the standardized protocol using high resolution ultrasonography.ResultsMeasurement of cIMT revealed values above 94th percentile in four children (three males and one female) who were all diagnosed with JIA. The quantity of abnormal results was not enough to verify the hypothesis of increased cardiovascular risk in JIA patients, though (p=0.06296). However, children diagnosed with JIA are more likely to have abnormal body mass index than their healthy peers (51.1% vs. 21.6%, p=0.00614). Children who doubled their sedentary screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic skipped the sufficient physical activity (p=0.03352). Correlation between elevated ESR and higher cIMT values in right carotid artery was marginally significant (r=0.292, p=0.051443). Regardless of JIA, exposure to secondhand smoking was proved as a significant risk factor of atherosclerosis (18.2% vs. 2.8%, p=0.02771).ConclusionScreening measurements of cIMT should be considered in the follow-up of JIA patients with higher disease activity with concurrent elevated ESR. Defining other indications for performing such examination requires further investigation involving larger study group. Healthy lifestyle, including reducing secondhand smoke exposure, needs to be promoted with utmost importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in children with chronic diseases like JIA.References[1]Del Giudice E, Dilillo A, Tromba L et al. Aortic, carotid intima-media thickness and flow- mediated dilation as markers of early atherosclerosis in a cohort of pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases. Clin Rheumatol. 2018 Jun;37(6):1675-1682. doi: 10.1007/s10067-017-3705-7.[2]Hussain KS, Gulati R, Satheesh S et al. Early-onset subclinical cardiovascular damage assessed by non-invasive methods in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: analytical cross-sectional study. Rheumatol Int. 2021 Feb;41(2):423-429. doi: 10.1007/s00296-020-04689-z.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

Background: Children diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are thought to be more likely to develop cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The factors modulating the cardiovascular risk, involving exposure to secondhand smoking, sedentary lifestyle and abnormal body mass index, might have had a stronger impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of reliable prognostic markers for a higher probability of cardiovascular events might be solved by carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) measurement. The paramount goal of the study was to assess its usefulness in JIA patients. Materials and Methods: The results of cIMT measured by a single physician in 45 children diagnosed with JIA were compared to 37 age- and sex-matched healthy counterparts. The analysis also involved anthropometric parameters, laboratory tests, and a survey regarding lifestyle-related factors. Results: Four JIA patients appeared to have cIMT above the 94th percentile. A positive correlation between erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR) and right carotid artery percentiles was found. Passive smoking increased the cardiovascular risk regardless of JIA. Doubling the daily screen time during the pandemic led to a significant reduction in children’s physical activity. However, the number of enrolled subjects was not enough to make significant recommendations. Conclusions: cIMT measurements remain an interesting perspective for future cardiovascular screening of children with JIA. It has yet to be determined whether it should be considered in all JIA patients on a reliable basis.