High BP and obesity have synergistic adverse effects on retinal vasculature in kids: Study

The following results were found-

2. Children with hypertensive systolic BP had the narrowest central retinal arteriolar equivalents compared with children with either elevated or normotensive systolic BP (162.4, 164.6, and 167.1 µm; P‐trend <0.001).
3. Increased standardized systolic BP was associated with narrower central retinal arteriolar equivalents (β=−2.276 µm, P<0.001), wider central retinal venular equivalents (1.177,
   P=0.007), and decreased arteriolar fractal dimensions (β=−0.004, P=0.034).
4. Children with obesity had the smallest arteriolar fractal dimensions compared with children with overweightness and normal weight (1.211, 1.234, and 1.240; P‐trend=0.004).
5. Children with both hypertensive BP and either overweightness or obesity had the narrowest central retinal arteriolar equivalents and smallest arteriolar
   D_f (P‐trend<0.001 and P‐trend=0.007).

Therefore, the authors concluded that "the findings demonstrated the potential synergistic or additive effects for both hypertensive BP and obesity on retinal vasculature in children."

More proactive interventional approaches should be implemented in children with cardiovascular risk factors to prevent the development of microvascular impairments.