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Characterization of lymphocyte profiles in children with syndromic obesity
A Dieme1, S André2, H Lapillonne3
1Armand-Trousseau Children's Hospital, Pediatric Nutrition and Gastroenterology Department, Paris, France.
Insights
Syndromic obesity (SO) in children is linked to altered blood lymphocyte profiles, specifically an increased prevalence of CD19+ B cells. This finding correlates with obesity severity and inflammation markers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Limited understanding of blood lymphocyte subpopulations in pediatric obesity.
- Need to characterize lymphocyte profiles in common obesity (CO) versus syndromic obesity (SO).
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe blood lymphocyte profiles in obese children.
- To investigate associations between lymphocyte profiles and clinical obesity phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 159 children with CO and 34 with SO.
- Analysis of main blood lymphocyte subpopulations.
- Correlation of lymphocyte profiles with obesity history, BMI Z score, fat mass, and inflammatory markers.
Main Results:
- Children with SO exhibited higher BMI Z scores compared to those with CO.
- Significant differences in lymphocyte counts were observed, notably a higher percentage of CD19+ B cells in SO.
- Lower absolute numbers of CD19+ B cells were found in SO despite a higher percentage.
Conclusions:
- Children with syndromic obesity present with distinct blood lymphocyte alterations.
- Increased prevalence of CD19+ B cells in SO is associated with obesity severity and inflammation.
- Further research is warranted to understand the implications of these immune changes.
Background:
Little is known about blood lymphocyte subpopulations in children with common (CO) or syndromic (SO) obesity. We aimed to describe the blood lymphocyte profiles of obese children and to search for associations with clinical phenotypes.
Methods:
Main blood lymphocyte subpopulations were analyzed in 159 children with CO and 34 with SO in a retrospective cohort. Phenotypes included obesity history, body mass index (BMI) Z score, percentage fat mass, and inflammatory parameters. Correlations were performed between phenotypes and circulating lymphocyte profiles.
Results:
Children with SO had a higher BMI Z score (5.5 ± 1.7 SD) than children with CO (4.7 ± 0.9 SD; p = 0.01). Significant differences were found for lymphocyte counts, including a higher percentage of CD19+ B cells (SO = 20.1 ± 6.7 vs. CO = 17.1 ± 6.1%, p = 0.03), despite lower absolute numbers (SO = 0.57 ± 0.20 vs. CO = 0.63 ± 1.9 g/L, p < 0.01). However, no difference in the lymphocyte profile was found between children with SO and those with the most severe CO (BMI Z score ≥ 4.7 SD).
Conclusion:
Children with SO have altered blood lymphocyte profiles with increased prevalence of CD19+ B cells, which is closely linked to the degree of obesity severity and inflammatory markers.
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