A novel method for indexing echocardiographic left ventricular mass in infants, children and adolescents: Evaluation of obesity-induced left ventricular hypertrophy

Background: Measurement of left ventricular mass (LVM) is important to the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in children with various cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate method for standardization of LVM and to evaluate obesity-induced left ventricular hypertrophy in children across the entire age range, from infancy through adolescence. Methods: Wet studied 928 children and adolescents (527 males, 401 females), aged 0-17 years, who were classified into two groups by degree of obesity. Left ventricular mass was calculated by M-mode echocardiography using the formula of Devereux et al. and was indexed using body size (body length, bodyweight or body surface area) raised to a non-integer power using logarithmic transformation of measurements in children without obesity. Results: The body length, bodyweight and body surface area exponents were 1.85, 0.88 and 1.15, respectively, in males, and 1.72, 0.82 and 1.08, respectively, in females. Whereas indexing of left ventricular mass by body length both in males and in females revealed significant differences between the two groups, indexing using bodyweight or body surface area exponents did not manifest left ventricular hypertrophy induced by obesity. Conclusion: It is suggested that applying body length exponents 1.85 in males and 1.72 in females is an appropriate method for indexation of LVM in children and adolescents. This method is particularly useful for the evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy in children.