Prevalence of hyperuricemia and its related risk factors among preschool children from China

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Hyperuricemia, characterized by elevated serum uric acid levels, is increasingly recognized as a health concern in pediatric populations.
• Understanding its prevalence and risk factors in young children is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia among preschool children in urban China.
• To identify major risk factors associated with hyperuricemia in this age group.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Tianjin, China, involving 4073 preschool children aged 3-6 years.
• Cluster sampling was used to ensure a representative sample.
• Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors and calculate odds ratios.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of hyperuricemia (serum uric acid ≥ 310 μmol/L) was 10.1%.
• Mean serum uric acid levels were higher in boys (247.3 ± 53.7 μmol/L) than in girls (238.3 ± 52.4 μmol/L).
• In univariable analysis, male sex, obesity, elevated diastolic blood pressure, and high serum triglyceride levels were associated with hyperuricemia, though the latter two lost significance in multivariable models.

Conclusions:

• Hyperuricemia prevalence is relatively high in Chinese preschool children.
• Obesity and male sex are significant risk factors for hyperuricemia in this population.
• Components of metabolic syndrome may be associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia in young children.