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Creatinine-normalized urinary lipocalin-2 in children with obesity: association with insulin resistance in a

Aydin Celik1, Busra Karadag Celik2

  • 1Paediatrics Department, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Al Sadd Health Center, Doha, Qatar. acelik@phcc.gov.qa.

Scientific Reports
|June 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Urinary lipocalin-2 (LCN2) levels are elevated in children with obesity, particularly those with insulin resistance. This suggests LCN2 may indicate early metabolic or kidney changes in pediatric obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is linked to insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risks.
  • Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a biomarker associated with inflammation, metabolism, and kidney function.
  • Limited data exist on urinary LCN2 in pediatric obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess 24-hour urinary LCN2 levels in children with obesity.
  • To investigate associations between urinary LCN2 and metabolic parameters.
  • To explore LCN2 as a potential indicator of obesity-related complications.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 43 children with obesity and 32 healthy controls (ages 11-16).
  • Measured anthropometrics, fasting glucose, insulin, lipids, and renal markers.
  • Assessed insulin resistance using HOMA-IR and urinary LCN2 via ELISA, normalized to creatinine.

Main Results:

  • The urinary LCN2/creatinine ratio was significantly higher in children with obesity compared to controls.
  • Absolute urinary LCN2 did not differ significantly between groups.
  • Within the obesity group, higher urinary LCN2 concentrations correlated with insulin resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Urinary LCN2, especially when normalized to creatinine, may reflect early metabolic or renal alterations in pediatric obesity.
  • Findings suggest LCN2's potential as a biomarker for early detection of complications.
  • Further prospective studies are required to confirm clinical utility.

Keywords:
BiomarkersChildhood obesityInsulin resistanceLipocalin-2NGAL

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