Vesicoureteral reflux is a prominent congenital anomaly of the kidney and the urinary tract. Further, renal scarring is known to be related to chronic inflammation. However, there have been limited studies to date regarding the cardiovascular consequences of vesicoureteral reflux.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications in children with vesicoureteral reflux.

Patients with vesicoureteral reflux and age matched healthy controls were prospectively included in this case-control study. Patients were divided into two groups concerning renal scarring status. To assess cardiac functions, carotid artery intima media, epicardial adipose tissue, and periaortic adipose tissue thicknesses were evaluated.

There were 50 patients with vesicoureteral reflux; 26 patients without renal scarring and 24 patients with renal scarring, as well as 40 healthy controls. Myocardial performance indexes (Tei indexes) measured by tissue Doppler echocardiography from septum and left ventricle were significantly increased in study group (for all, p < 0.001). Also, intima media, epicardial adipose tissue, and periaortic adipose tissue thicknesses of the study groups were significantly higher than the control group (for all, p < 0.001). However, no statistical difference was observed between renal scarring (−) and renal scarring (+) groups.

Results of our study showed early deterioration of cardiac systolic and diastolic functions in children with vesicoureteral reflux regardless of renal scarring. Also, diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux is an important risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis, independent of renal scarring, which should be considered in the follow-up of these patients.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in childhood can be evaluated by carotid intima-media thickness, which is considered a surrogate marker for atherosclerotic disease in adulthood. The aims of this study were to evaluate carotid intima-media thickness and, to investigate associated factors.

Cross-sectional study with children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD). Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed. Subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated by carotid intima-media thickness. Cardiovascular risk factors, such as physical activity, screen time, passive smoke, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, dietary intake, lipid parameters, glycaemia, and C-reactive protein, were also assessed. Factors associated with carotid intima-media thickness were analysed using multiple logistic regression.

The mean carotid intima-media thickness was 0.518 mm and 46.7% had subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness ≥ 97th percentile). After adjusting for confounding factors, cyanotic CHD (odds ratio: 0.40; 95% confidence interval: 0.20; 0.78), cardiac surgery (odds ratio: 3.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.35; 7.48), and be hospitalised to treat infections (odds ratio: 1.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.04; 3.54) were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis.

Clinical characteristics related to CHD were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. This finding suggests that the presence of CHD itself is a risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis. Therefore, the screen and control of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors should be made early and intensively to prevent atherosclerosis.