A groundbreaking study reveals that young individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) face a staggering risk of poor cardiovascular health compared to their peers. This alarming trend was highlighted in findings from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health.

The Hidden Health Crisis!

Researchers utilized a modified version of the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) scoring system to evaluate cardiovascular health among children aged 3 to 17. This comprehensive scoring system assessed key indicators, including sleep duration, tobacco exposure, diabetes, obesity, heart conditions, and lipid levels. A composite score was then calculated based on these factors.

Who is Affected?

Among the 57,094 youth assessed, a staggering 12,134 were identified as having an NDD, conditions that include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and learning disorders. The results were eye-opening!

Startling Statistics!

The study revealed significant disparities in cardiovascular health metrics:

- **Age-inappropriate sleep duration**: 63.4% (NDD) compared to 55.3% (non-NDD) - **Tobacco exposure**: 90.7% (NDD) vs 94.5% (non-NDD) - **Diabetes prevalence**: 90.2% (NDD) vs 95.2% (non-NDD) - **Obesity rates**: 73.2% (NDD) vs 80.0% (non-NDD) - **Heart conditions**: 93.8% (NDD) vs 95.4% (non-NDD) - **Dyslipidemia**: 95.0% (NDD) vs 98.1% (non-NDD)

Overall, youth with NDD had an average composite cardiovascular health score of 91.0, significantly lower than the 93.9 seen in their non-NDD counterparts.

Twice as Likely!

The implications are staggering: youth with NDD were nearly twice as likely to have a heart condition (OR = 1.91). Furthermore, their chances of poor overall cardiovascular health were also significantly higher (OR = 1.53). These findings were robust even after adjusting for potential selection bias.

A Call to Action!

The researchers sound an urgent alarm: "Neurodevelopmental disability is associated with poorer cardiovascular health in youth." They advocate for targeted strategies to enhance cardiovascular health specifically for children with NDD, emphasizing the need to address this pressing health gap.

This crucial information was presented at the upcoming 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, where experts will discuss vital strategies for improving health outcomes for vulnerable youth.