Abstract
Aim Hypertension is associated with cardiac structural and functional changes, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), LV systolic dysfunction, and diastolic dysfunction. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel inflammatory biomarker associated with cardiovascular diseases. The current study aimed to evaluate NLR in children with newly diagnosed essential hypertension and its relationship between blood pressure and cardiac changes. Methods and subjects 44 children with newly diagnosed essential hypertension and 43 healthy children were included. Clinical characteristics, blood cell counts and biochemical parameters were collected. LVH was assessed by calculation of LV mass index (LVMI), and LV systolic function was evaluated by measuring LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening. LV diastolic function was primarily assessed with E/E’ ratio by doppler and echocardiography. Results The hypertension children had significantly higher LVMI and E/E’ ratio compared to the controls, whereas there was no difference in LV systolic function between two groups. The NLR was significantly higher in the hypertension group than the control group. Moreover, NLR and it was positively correlated with SBP and DBP levels in the hypertension group. Additionally, a significantly positive correlation between NLR and E/E’ ratio was found in the hypertension group. However, NLR was not related to LVH and LV systolic function indicators in hypertension children.Conclusion The higher NLR may be a potential indicator of increased risk for the development of hypertension in children. Moreover, NLR may help to assess the presence of LV diastolic dysfunction in hypertension children.
Left ventricular muscle mass and diastolic function in patients with essential hypertension under long-term clonidine monotherapy
