Aortic Elasticity Profile of Children Living in Area of Chronic Organophosphate Exposure: A Preliminary Study

Brebes is an agricultural village in north coastal area of Central Java that is exposed to organophosphate pesticides. Organophosphate could cause mechanical damage of artery such as increasing the stiffness and leading to arteriosclerosis in early life. Aortic (Ao) elasticity profiles of children who are living in those polluted area have never been studied. The aim of study was to determine Ao wall stiffness and distensibility in children living in Brebes. A cross sectional study was conducted in fifty students aged 9-12 years (mean 9.24 SD 0.69), male 30 and 20 female, who were living in Brebes. Ascending Ao distensibillity and stiffness were obtained on M-mode using Logic E echocardiography. Mean value of three times measurement was presented and compared with standard for healthy children according to the age. Mean and median of Ao-distensibility were 98.7 (SD 55.08) and 90.8 (13.98-224.55) [normal 97.1 (SD 47.6); 85.7 (22.6-368.5)]; Ao-stiffness index were 2.2 (SD 0.55) and 2.1 (1.28-4.06) [1.18 (SD 0.57); 1.05 (0.24-3.69)] respectively. Ao distensibility of subjects showed 16% lower, 62% normal and 20% higher than the mean of standard value. Ao stiffness index of subjects was 16% normal and 84% higher than standard. After adjusted with BSA, 78% of subject's Ao distensibility/BSA was normal, 96% has higher Ao stiffness index/BSA than mean standard value. This study found higher Ao-stiffness index among children living in organophosphate exposure area, despite of normal Ao distensibility.