Arterial stiffness in children with and without probable developmental coordination disorder.
BACKGROUND
Children with cardiovascular disease risk factors demonstrate adverse arterial alterations that are predictive of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adults. Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are at cardiovascular risk as they are more likely to be obese and inactive.


AIM
The purpose of this study was to assess arterial structure and function in children with and without probable DCD (p-DCD).


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 33 children with p-DCD (22 male) and 53 without (30 male). The Movement Assessment Battery for Children was used to classify those with p-DCD. Adiposity was assessed using the BOD POD. Compliance, distensibility, and intima-media thickness were measured at the common carotid artery (CCA). ECG R-wave-to-toe pulse wave velocity (PWV) was also measured.


RESULTS
Compared to controls, males with p-DCD had lower CCA distensibility (p=0.034) and higher PWV (p=0.001). No differences were evident in females. Body fat percent was a significant predictor of CCA distensibility and removed the effect of p-DCD on PWV in males.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates augmented arterial stiffness in males with p-DCD, likely attributed to body fat. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions in children with p-DCD, specifically males, in order to prevent future cardiovascular risk.
['Philips|Nicole E|NE|', 'Chirico|Daniele|D|', 'Cairney|John|J|', 'Hay|John|J|', 'Faught|Brent E|BE|', "O'Leary|Deborah D|DD|"]
D050154:Adiposity D000293:Adolescent D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases D017536:Carotid Artery, Common D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness D015897:Comorbidity D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D004562:Electrocardiography D005260:Female D006801:Humans D016014:Linear Models D008297:Male D019957:Motor Skills Disorders D015999:Multivariate Analysis D009765:Obesity D050177:Overweight D010809:Physical Fitness D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis D012307:Risk Factors D012737:Sex Factors D059289:Vascular Stiffness
Arterial stiffness Children Developmental coordination disorder Distensibility Common carotid artery Pulse wave velocity