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Insulin resistance markers in children

Francisca Eyzaguirre1, Verónica Mericq

  • 1Institute of Maternal and Child Research, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Hormone Research
|January 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is rising, increasing insulin resistance (IR) risk. This review explores biochemical markers for diagnosing IR in children, addressing a gap in pediatric reference data.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Childhood obesity prevalence is increasing globally.
  • Obesity is a major risk factor for insulin resistance (IR) and associated comorbidities.
  • IR in children can lead to serious health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current biochemical markers for evaluating insulin sensitivity in children.
  • To discuss the utility of various hormones and inflammatory markers in diagnosing pediatric IR.
  • To highlight the lack of established reference data for these markers in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of biochemical markers for insulin resistance.
  • Analysis of established indices for insulin sensitivity assessment.
  • Examination of hormonal and inflammatory markers relevant to IR.
  • Discussion of diagnostic approaches for pediatric IR.

Main Results:

  • Several biochemical markers, including homeostatic model assessment and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, can assess insulin sensitivity.
  • Hormones like leptin, adiponectin, and resistin, along with inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and IL-6, are relevant.
  • A significant gap exists in validated reference data for these markers in children.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate diagnosis of IR in children requires reliable biochemical markers.
  • Further research is needed to establish pediatric-specific reference ranges for IR markers.
  • Standardized diagnostic criteria are essential for managing pediatric IR effectively.

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