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Relationship between thyroid function and lipid atherogenic profile in pediatric patients with multisystem
Valeria Calcaterra1,2, Raffaella De Santis2, Davide Braghieri2
1Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Insights
Thyroid dysfunction is linked to an atherogenic lipid profile in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). While thyroid function normalized at 12 months, lipid profiles remained altered in some patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is associated with metabolic disturbances and thyroid dysfunction, including non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS).
- Thyroid hormones (TH) play a crucial role in regulating lipid metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between thyroid function and atherogenic lipid profiles in children diagnosed with MIS-C.
- To assess these parameters at admission and over a 12-month follow-up period.
Main Methods:
- Studied 56 children admitted for MIS-C.
- Assessed lipid profiles (Total cholesterol, HDL, Triglycerides) and thyroid function markers (free T3, free T4, TSH) at admission and during follow-up.
- Calculated atherogenic risk markers such as TG/HDL ratio, no-HDL/HDL ratio, and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP).
Main Results:
- On admission, children with MIS-C showed abnormal levels of FT3, FT4, TSH, TG, TC, HDL, TG/HDL ratio, no-HDL/HDL ratio, and AIP.
- Correlation analyses indicated associations between FT3, FT4, and lipid markers, and between TSH and TG.
- At 12-month follow-up, thyroid function normalized, but some patients still had altered lipid profiles, with no observed correlation to thyroid function.
Conclusions:
- Findings support a link between thyroid function and atherogenic lipid profiles in pediatric MIS-C.
- This association may stem from interactions between metabolic responses, innate immunity, and genetic factors.
- Understanding TH-metabolic pathway interactions during infections could identify biomarkers for improved prognosis and long-term health in MIS-C patients.
Introduction:
Concurrent alterations in the metabolic profile and thyroid dysfunction, including non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) has been reported in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Considering the influence of thyroid hormones (TH) on lipid metabolism, we explored the relationship between thyroid function and the atherogenic lipid profile in children with MIS-C at admission and during a 12-month follow-up.
Patients And Methods:
we considered children admitted for MIS-C. Total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin as well as free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), and TSH were assessed at diagnosis within 24 h of admission and during follow-up. TG/HDL ratio, no-HDL/HDL ratio and atherogenic index of plasma was also considered as atherogenic risk markers.
Results:
we monitored 56 children. On admission, pathological levels of FT3, FT4, TSH, TG, TC, HDL, TG/HDL ratio, no-HDL/HDL ratio, and AIP were detected. Correlation analyses revealed associations between FT3, FT4, and lipid markers and TSH with TG. During monitoring, while complete restoration of TH balance was achieved at 12 months, some patients still exhibited an altered lipid profile, without correlation between thyroid function and lipid markers.
Conclusions:
we supported a relationship between thyroid function and an atherogenic lipid profile in children with MIS-C. This may result from interactions between adaptive and innate metabolic responses and genetic predisposition. Elucidating the relationship between TH and metabolic pathways during infections could help identify new biomarkers to prevent acute and fatal outcomes, improving patient prognosis and protecting long-term health.
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