Background: We have shown that children living in the Andes exhibit dyslipidemia and reduced cardiac size, suggesting that these children may develop adaptive mechanisms associated with changes in biomarkers such as NT-proBNP and CA125.
Objective: To determine the associations between NT-proBNP and CA 125 and variables such as age, sex, BMI, BP, hemoglobin, leucocytes, and lipids in indigenous Argentinean children living at high altitudes.
Methods: Cross-sectional data were gathered from 73 children attending two schools in the villages of Cobres and Cerro Negro, at 4,500 m above sea level in La Poma, Salta (Argentina). Age, sex, BP, BMI, triglycerides (TG), HDL-C, complete blood count, CA 125, and NT-proBNP were obtained. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the associations between LnNT-proBNP and LnCA 125 and metabolic markers.
Results: Seventy-three children (38 M) aged 8.5±3.1 y were included; 11 (15.1%) were overweight, and 5 (6.8%) were obese (per CDC). Mean values were as follows: BMI 17.8±3.0 kg/m2, z-BMI 0.4±0.8, systolic BP 81 ±11 mmHg, diastolic BP 56±8 mmHg, hemoglobin 13±1g/dL, leucocytes 6672±1387, HDL-C 39 ±6 mg/dL, TG 122±45 mg/dL, NT-proBNP 66.7±52.8 pg/ml, and CA125 18.4±6.9 U/ml. Mean levels of HDL-C and TG suggested dyslipidemia. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that LnCA125 was inversely associated with age and directly with leukocytes (R20.23), whereas LnNT-proBNP was inversely associated with age, heart rate, and HDL-C and directly with diastolic BP (R20.30); adjusted for confounding variables.
Conclusion: This study showed NT-proBNP and CA125 were associated with cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers in indigenous children living at high altitudes. Further longitudinal studies should be performed to confirm these findings.
V. Hirschler: None. L. Castano: None. L.E. Flores: None.
