Myeloperoxidase as cardiovascular risk marker in pre-pubertal preterm children?

Abstract Background and Aims To evaluate the biomarkers related to cardiovascular risk in pre-pubertal preterm children with a birth weight of less than 1,500g and relate them to current nutritional status, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Methods & Results: This is a cross-sectional, controlled study with pre-pubertal preterm children aged 5-9 years with a birth weight of less than 1,500 grams (Preterm group, n=44) compared to full term children of adequate weight for gestational age (Control group, n=30). Clinical evaluation: anthropometry and pubertal staging. Laboratory tests: total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, paraoxonase 1, apolipoproteins A-I and B, myeloperoxidase (MPO), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glycemia and insulin (to calculate HOMA-IR). In the preterm group, 19 (43.2%) were male, with mean birth weight and gestational age of 1,157±242 grams and 30.0±2.3 weeks, respectively. The preterm group showed lower concentrations of HDL-c (60.1±10.1 vs. 69.0±10.0 mg/dL; p Conclusion Prepubertal preterm children show high MPO concentrations and MPO/HDL-c ratio that are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, which, in turn, may be associated with atherosclerosis.