Visual and brainstem auditory evoked potentials in children with obesity
Onur Akın1, Mutluay Arslan2, Hakan Akgün3
1Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ankara, Turkey.
Brain & Development
|October 15, 2015
Summary
Obese children show delayed brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and visual evoked potentials (VEP), particularly those with insulin resistance (IR). These tests can detect early subclinical auditory and visual changes in pediatric obesity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing health concern.
- Obesity is associated with metabolic dysregulation, including insulin resistance (IR).
- Subclinical neurological alterations may precede overt symptoms in obese children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in visual evoked potentials (VEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in obese children.
- To explore the relationship between these electrophysiological measures and insulin resistance.
Main Methods:
- 96 children (63 obese, 33 controls) aged 9-17 years were studied.
- VEP and BAEP latencies and amplitudes were measured.
- Laboratory tests assessed insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.
Main Results:
- Obese children exhibited significantly longer VEP P100 and BAEP interpeak latencies (IPL I-III, IPL I-V) compared to controls.
- Obese children with IR showed longer BAEP wave I, wave III, and VEP P100 latencies.
- Significant correlations were found between BAEP latencies (wave I, IPL I-V, IPL I-III) and HOMA IR index/fasting insulin.
Conclusions:
- VEP and BAEP alterations are present in obese children.
- These electrophysiological changes are more pronounced in obese children with insulin resistance.
- VEP and BAEP can serve as early biomarkers for subclinical auditory and visual dysfunction in pediatric obesity with IR.
