LEFT-VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY IN CHILDREN FROM THE UPPER 5-PERCENT OF THE BLOOD-PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION - THE ODENSE SCHOOLCHILD STUDY

Left ventricular structural dimensions were assessed by echocardiograp hy in a group of 64 children aged 9-11 years with a mean blood pressur e at or above the 95th percentile (HC-group) and in a group of 66 chil dren randomly selected from the rest of the population (NC-group). Chi ldren in the HC-group were heavier, more obese, and less fit. Parental history of hypertension was more frequent in the HC-group. Calculated left ventricular mass (LVM). and LVM corrected for body surface area (LVMI), were significantly greater in the HC-group and in boys. Repeat ed echocardiographic examination in 57 of the children following 8 mon ths of physical training revealed significant increases in posterior w all thickness and the posterior-wall-thickness-to-radius ratio. LVM in creased significantly in the NC-group. Neither physical fitness nor ch ange in physical fitness contributed independently to the variability in LVM following the training period. In children aged 9-11 years at i ncreased risk of developing essential hypertension left ventricular hy pertrophy is present.