Cardiovascular Alterations in Infants with Metabolic Syndrome: Contemporary Pathophysiological and Clinical Perspectives

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasingly recognized not only in adults and adolescents but also in infants, primarily due to maternal metabolic disturbances and early-life nutritional risk factors. Cardiovascular alterations that appear during infancy can significantly predispose individuals to long-term cardiometabolic disease.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive review of the clinical, morphological, and pathophysiological features of cardiovascular alterations in infants with metabolic syndrome, highlighting contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives.

Methods: A systematic synthesis of literature published between 2015 and 2025 was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Both clinical and experimental data were analyzed.

Results: Infants with metabolic syndrome demonstrate early cardiovascular alterations including left ventricular hypertrophy, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Key mechanisms include insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and epigenetic modifications induced by maternal factors.

Conclusion: Early cardiovascular screening and preventive strategies are essential in high-risk pediatric populations. Personalized therapeutic approaches and maternal health interventions represent promising strategies for reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease in future generations.