Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Reisinger,C.
The Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents: An Update of the Current Literature
Humanmedizin; [Diplomarbeit] Medical University of Graz;2019. pp. 85
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Goswami Nandu
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- Abstract:
- Introduction: The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) describes the clustering of cardio-metabolic risk factors including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoproteins. With the rising prevalence of childhood obesity, MetS is considered to become more frequent among this age group too. This development raises great concerns, since MetS is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus type 2. However, until today there is still no generally accepted definition of this syndrome for pediatric patients. Objectives: The aim of this work is to summarize current prevalence data of childhood MetS as well as to discuss the ongoing disagreement between different pediatric definitions and the clinical importance of such diagnosis. Methodology: A systematic literature research on the prevalence of pediatric MetS was conducted. Only articles that where published during the past five years and that used at least one of four predetermined classifications (International Diabetes Federation IDF, Cook et al., Ford et al. or de Ferranti et al.) were included. Results: The literature research resulted in 1167 articles, of which 31 publications met all inclusion criteria. Discussion: MetS was present in children from developed as well as from developing countries. The results indicate that the number of MetS diagnoses partly depends on the definition used: the IDF definition provided the lowest prevalence (0.3% in Colombia), whereas the classification of de Ferranti et al. yielded the highest (26.4% in Iran). Therefore, it is important to consider the underlying classification when comparing the prevalence data of different studies in pediatric populations. The ongoing disagreement concerning a pediatric MetS definition is due to the poor knowledge about the pathogenic mechanisms, especially in terms of growth and pubertal development. Long-term studies reveal that the prognostic accuracy regarding future health consequences is moderate. In order to develop a more valid definition, further research on long-term consequences of childhood risk factors is needed. A uniform classification would enable comparison between different study results and promote the development of screening, prevention and treatment measures for childhood MetS.