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Sex hormone binding globulin concentration as a prepubertal marker for hyperinsulinaemia in obesity

P J Galloway1, M D Donaldson, A M Wallace

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow G3 0SF, UK. petergalloway@lineone.net

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|November 24, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Subnormal sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels in obese prepubertal children predict hyperinsulinaemia. Measuring SHBG may help identify children at risk for premature coronary arterial disease (CAD).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health
  • Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Background:

  • Obesity in childhood is linked to adult metabolic syndrome and premature coronary arterial disease (CAD).
  • Identifying early markers for metabolic dysfunction in children is crucial for preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) can serve as a marker for hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in obese prepubertal children.
  • To assess the relationship between SHBG levels and metabolic health indicators in pediatric obesity.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 25 obese prepubertal children (BMI >2SD) requiring clinical evaluation.
  • Insulin response was assessed using an oral glucose tolerance test.
  • Serum SHBG concentrations were measured and compared between hyperinsulinaemic and non-hyperinsulinaemic groups.

Main Results:

  • Fourteen out of 25 obese children exhibited hyperinsulinaemia.
  • Children with hyperinsulinaemia showed significantly lower SHBG concentrations compared to the reference range, even after matching for age and BMI.
  • Subnormal SHBG levels were observed in the hyperinsulinaemic cohort.

Conclusions:

  • A low circulating SHBG concentration is a strong predictor of hyperinsulinaemia in prepubertal obese children.
  • Measuring SHBG may aid in identifying children at elevated risk for developing premature CAD.
  • Targeted lifestyle interventions can be directed towards high-risk individuals identified through SHBG measurement.
Abstract

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