ABSTRACT
Abstract Obesity is considered an important global public health challenge, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing in children. We investigated in this study if the upper-normal TSH level may be associated with metabolic syndrome parameters, including obesity, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia and changes in insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese children. We also investigated whether there is a relationship between BMI and these parameters. This prospective case-control study comprised 145 participants (74 females, 71 males) aged 5-18 years. Participants were divided into three groups according to their BMI z-score, as overweight, obese and control. The control group included 35 age and sex-matched healthy subjects. Thyroid stimulating hormone levels of control, overweight and obese groups were 2.14 ± 1.27, 2.97 ± 1.26 and 3.13 ± 1.11, respectively (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between TSH and the BMI, BMI z-scores between overweight and obese groups (r=0.302, p=0.000), (r=0.121, p=0.004), respectively. The current study suggests that increased serum TSH levels, even within the normal range, in overweight and obese children is associated with the impairment of metabolic parameters, including dyslipidemia and insulin sensitivity. For that reason, TSH levels in the high-normal range should be considered as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and its components.
Resumen La obesidad se considera un importante desafío de salud pública mundial y su prevalencia está aumentando rápidamente en los niños. En este estudio, se investigó si el nivel normal superior de TSH puede estar asociado con los parámetros del síndrome metabólico, incluida la obesidad, la presión arterial elevada, cambios en los lípidos y la sensibilidad a la insulina, en niños con sobrepeso y obesidad. También investigamos si existe una relación entre el IMC y estos parámetros. En este estudio prospectivo de casos y controles se incluyeron a 145 participantes (74 hembras, 71 varones) de entre 5 y 18 años. Los participantes se dividieron en 3 grupos según el puntaje z del IMC, como sobrepeso, obesidad y control. El grupo de control incluyó 35 sujetos sanos emparejados por edad y sexo. Los niveles de hormona estimulante de la tiroides de los grupos de control, con sobrepeso y obesos fueron 2,14 ± 1,27, 2,97 ± 1,26 y 3,13 ± 1,11, respectivamente (p <0,05). Hubo una correlación positiva significativa entre la TSH y el BMI, la puntuación z del IMC entre los grupos con sobrepeso y obesidad (r = 0,302, p = 0,000), (r = 0,121, p = 0,004), respectivamente. Por esa razón, el nivel de TSH en el rango normal alto debe considerarse como un factor de riesgo del síndrome metabólico y sus componentes.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Recent studies reported beneficial effect of cyclical intravenous administration of pamidronate in children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). However, this treatment requires frequent hospital admissions and is relatively expensive. Alendronate is an oral bisphosphonate effectively used in adults with osteoporosis. Experience with alendronate treatment in children with OI is limited. AIMS: To report our experience with alendronate in children with OI. METHODS: 12 children with OI (7 with type I, 4 with type III and 1 with type IV; 7 boys, 5 girls) aged 1.8 to 15.4 years (7.9+/-; 4.4 yrs) were included in this retrospective study. The patients were treated with alendronate in a dose of 5-10 mg/day along with calcium (500 mg/day) and vitamin D (400-1000 IU/day) supplements for 19.8+/-11.3 months (range: 7-46 months). Serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), pyrilinks-D and urinary Ca/Cr ratio were studied 3 monthly and bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA on 6-12 monthly basis. RESULTS: Fracture rate of the patients significantly decreased after treatment (1.2+/-1.5 vs. 0.16+/-0.32 per year, P<0.05). Treatment improved bone density in each individual case. Z-scores of lumbar DXA (L2-L4) significantly increased during treatment (-4.60+/-1.30 vs - 2.47+/-1.52, P< 0.05). Urinary pyrilinks-D decreased with treatment (90.8+/-136.3 vs. 35.1+/-29.9, P< 0.05). Serum Ca, P, ALP, OC and urinary Ca/Cr did not change significantly during treatment. CONCLUSION: We conclude that alendronate is effective, safe and practical alternative to intravenous bisphosphonates in treatment of children with OI.