Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40775685›Full record

ArticleBMC cardiovascular disorders2025

Carotid intima-media thickness and endothelial function in adolescents exposed to alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking in utero: a mediation analysis.

Tammy Hartel, Aamer Sandoo, André Oelofse, Juléy De Smidt

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cardiovascular disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Tammy HartelDepartment of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa. 3366278@myuwc.ac.za.ORCID 0000-0003-2154-5379
Aamer SandooSchool of Psychology and Sport Science, George Building, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2PZ, UK.
André OelofseDepartment of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa.
Juléy De SmidtDepartment of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPrevious studies have shown the effects of teratogen exposure in utero on the vascular system, but its direct and indirect effects are still questionable. Therefore, this study explored the effects of potential mediators of teratogen exposure on carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

methodsThis study was conducted between January 2022 and August 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa, and included 307 adolescents (aged 10-14) and their mothers. Anthropometry data, lipid profiles, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), physical activity and maternal health behaviours were obtained. Vascular measurements (left and right cIMT and brachial artery FMD) were obtained via ultrasound, which included analysing the peak artery diameter separately. Statistical analyses were performed via SPSS

resultsThe cohort included a control group (n = 105), tobacco-exposed individuals (n = 115), dual-exposed individuals (tobacco and alcohol) (n = 73), and alcohol-exposed individuals (n = 14). A significant positive correlation was observed between alcohol exposure duration and LcIMT (rho = 0.531, p < 0.05), and a strong negative correlation was observed with peak diameter (rho=-0.788, p < 0.001), with a very strong correlation in males (r=-0.894, p < 0.05). The duration of alcohol exposure significantly affected LcIMT (p = 0.0468) after adjusting for body mass index (BMI), SBP and DBP. However, brachial artery (BA) peak diameter was not significantly associated with the duration of alcohol consumption during pregnancy after the adjustment for age, SBP or BA baseline diameter.

conclusionIncreased BMI and SBP may contribute to a reduced peak diameter in adolescents exposed to alcohol, potentially indicating lower FMD in adulthood. Further studies should elucidate the biological mechanisms involved through long-term prospective studies.

Indexed as

Alcohol DrinkingBrachial ArteryCarotid Intima-Media ThicknessCigarette SmokingEndothelium, VascularPrenatal Exposure Delayed EffectsVasodilationAdolescentAge FactorsCase-Control StudiesChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMalePregnancyBlood pressureBody mass index mediatorsTeratogensVascular dysfunction

Identifiers

PMID40775685
PMCPMC12330117

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.