Thyroid functions and trace elements in pediatric patients with exogenous obesity.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Obesity, a complex disease, impacts energy balance and affects the endocrine system.
• Previous research indicates altered serum thyroid hormones and trace element levels in obese children.
• Thyroid hormone level changes may correlate with alterations in serum trace elements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum thyroid hormone levels and trace element concentrations in children with exogenous obesity.
• To compare these levels between obese children and a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

• Study included 85 children with exogenous obesity and 24 healthy controls.
• Measured serum TSH, fT4, fT3, TG, Se, Zn, Cu, and Mn levels.
• Measurements were taken pre-treatment and at 3 and 6 months post-treatment for the obese group.

Main Results:

• Obese children had significantly lower zinc levels compared to controls.
• Manganese and selenium levels were significantly higher in obese children both pre- and post-treatment.
• While fT4 levels increased significantly by the sixth month of treatment, this change was not associated with trace element levels.

Conclusions:

• Exogenous obesity in children is associated with significant alterations in fT4, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium levels.
• The observed changes in serum fT4 levels in obese children are independent of alterations in trace element concentrations.