[Early markers for atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome in children]

The high prevalence of obesity in children favors the appearance of metabolic syndrome (MS), increasing their cardiovascular risk.

To evaluate components of MS in children and to correlate them with surrogate markers of atherosclerosis and subclinical inflammation.

We studied 209 children aged 11.5 +/- 2 years (50% girls, 30% prepuberal). Fifty percent had normal weight, 18% were overweight, 29% were obese and 3% were undernourished. A fasting blood sample was obtained to measure lipid levels, glucose, insulin, adiponectin and ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (usCRP). Subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated using flow mediated dilatation of brachial artery (FMD) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). For diagnosis of MS we adapted Cook's criteria.

Five percent of all children and 18% of those with overweight had MS. Children with more components had significantly higher fasting insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) values. Clustering of MS components was also associated to higher values of usCRP and non significantly to lower adiponectin levels. We did not find differences in FMD. In obese children there was a tendency towards a higher IMT with clustering of MS components, although not significant.

Children with overweight presented a higher risk of a clustering of MS components, which was also associated with insulin resistance and increase in ultrasensitive C reactive protein.