Metabolic syndrome: a reality in obese children and adolescents

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study is to contribute to the understanding of metabolic syndrome [MS] risk factors during childhood by examining the diagnostic patterns of MS in obese children. Thirty one obese children and adolescents with BMI >/= 95th percentile were recruited and investigated as group I, in addition to 22 matched age and sex children and adolescents were served as control [group II]. Anthropometric measurements as well as blood pressure were measured. Plasma cortisol, ACTH and suppression test were assessed in all patients. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, C peptide and lipids profile in addition to glucose tolerance test were analyzed. The metabolic syndrome in children was classified according to modified version of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III [NCEP-ATP III]. The degree of insulin resistance was determined with the use of a homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance. Out of the 31 patients assessed, 25.8% of the patients met the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome. Forty percent of the females and 6.25% of the males had 3 or more risk factors. No one of the non-obese control subject met the criteria for the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is already a reality for many obese children. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for a clinically useful consensus definition of pediatric metabolic syndrome and national guidelines for proper screening, evaluation and treatment of children at risk for metabolic syndrome