Childhood bugs 'heart risk' link

Researchers say even a minor infection could affect heart health

Even a minor infection during childhood can increase the risk of heart disease as an adult, researchers say.

A UK Institute of Child Health team studied the arteries of 600 children, around half of whom had, or were recovering from, an infection.

The study, in Circulation, showed those who had been ill showed the earliest signs of the arterial damage.

But heart experts said a healthy lifestyle as an adult could offset any risk from childhood infections.

'More data needed'

All the children who took part were involved in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), or Children of the 90s, study.

None of them had suffered from a severe infection, and none had needed to visit the GP or to take antibiotics.

Parents should not feel that a short childhood illness is inevitably laying the foundations for future heart disease Professor Peter Weinberg, British Heart Foundation

The researchers looked at how flexible the children's arteries were.

Healthy arteries stretch and contract in response to changes in blood volume.

It was found that those children who had had an infection had a significant reduction in artery flexibility.

Most of them recovered over time, but a small number were still showing reduced function when they were followed up six months to a year later.

Professor Nigel Klein, an author on the study, told the BBC News website said it was known both that adult infection on heart disease, and that the foundations for adult health were laid in childhood.

"What we have been able to show is that even a trivial infection can have an impact on cardiovascular risk."

But he added: "Parents should not be worried that if their child gets a cold, they will go on to have a heart attack."

Professor Klein said further research was needed to determine why infections have this effect on children's arteries.

"In particular we need to demonstrate which if any children suffer a permanent reduction in artery function.

But Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation, said: "There is no evidence that short-lived episodes of endothelial dysfunction, caused by infection, lead to atherosclerosis."

He added: "If childhood infections were a major cause of atherosclerosis, one would expect the disease to be much more prevalent in societies where infections are endemic, such as those in the third world, whereas the reverse is the case.

"Parents should not feel that a short childhood illness is inevitably laying the foundations for future heart disease.

"At worst it may be predisposing them somewhat to the effects of 'classical' risk factors, in which case that risk should be offset by leading a healthy lifestyle - getting plenty of exercise, eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fat, salt and sugar and not smoking."