C-Reactive Protein Concentration and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Children

Abstract

Background— C-reactive protein is an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although the relations between C-reactive protein and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been extensively studied in adults, the relations in children are not well understood. Methods and Results— Data from 2846 boys and girls 3 to 17 years of age who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2000, a cross-sectional survey of the US population, were used. In univariate analyses, significant associations were observed between C-reactive protein concentration—measured with a high-sensitivity assay—and age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and triglyceride concentrations in both sexes. In multiple linear regression analyses, body mass index was the best predictor of C-reactive protein concentration. Age was positively associated with C-reactive protein concentration among boys 3 to 17 years of age. Some race or ethnic differences were present as well among boys 8 to 17 years of age and girls 8 to 11 years of age. Systolic blood pressure was positively associated with C-reactive protein among girls 12 to 17 years of age. Conclusions— Among the sociodemographic and cardiovascular disease risk factors, body mass index was the best predictor of C-reactive protein concentration in children.