Continuous cardiometabolic risk score definitions in early childhood: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric health research
• Cardiovascular health
• Metabolic syndrome research

Background:

• Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in young children is assessed using diverse methods.
• Continuous CMR scores often integrate adiposity, lipids, metabolic factors, and blood pressure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive review of definitions for continuous CMR scores in children younger than 10 years.
• To analyze the methodologies and components used in calculating pediatric CMR scores.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review methodology was employed.
• Systematic searches were conducted across four scientific databases up to June 2016.
• Inclusion criteria focused on children under 10 years reporting a continuous CMR score.

Main Results:

• Ninety-one articles met the inclusion criteria, with 96% published between 2007 and 2016.
• Most continuous CMR scores (90%) utilized the sum or mean of z-scores, often with age and sex standardization.
• Common components included waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, glucose, and systolic blood pressure.

Conclusions:

• Continuous CMR scores are increasingly prevalent in child health literature but exhibit significant methodological heterogeneity.
• The diversity in score calculation and components limits cross-study comparability.
• A harmonized definition for pediatric cardiometabolic risk is essential for advancing research and clinical practice.