肥胖症儿童血清抵抗素水平与胰岛素抵抗关系的研究

目的探讨肥胖症儿童血清抵抗素水平与高胰岛素血症和(或)胰岛素抵抗的关系。方法采用酶联免疫法测定34例肥胖儿童,31例正常对照的血清抵抗素水平。分析血清抵抗素与体重指数、体脂百分比、腰臀比及空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素水平、胰岛素抵抗指数、胰岛β细胞功能指数的相关关系。结果(1)肥胖组及对照组抵抗素浓度(对数转换值3.1±0.5)高于对照组(对数转换值2.7±0.8)(P<0.05)。(2)抵抗素与性别、年龄、收缩压、舒张压无相关关系;与体重指数、体脂百分比、腰臀比呈正相关(相关系数分别为r=0.299、0.304、0.322,P<0.01);与空腹血糖及空腹胰岛素水平呈正相关(相关系数为r=0.299和r=0.303,P<0.05);与胰岛素抵抗指数呈正相关(r=0.324,P<0.01),与胰岛β细胞功能指数无相关关系。(3)多元逐步回归分析表明,胰岛素抵抗指数为影响抵抗素最为显著的因素(R2=0.105);标准化偏回归系数0.279(P<0.01)。结论肥胖症儿童血清抵抗素水平较正常儿童增高,并与肥胖程度,脂肪分布密切相关。抵抗素可能与肥胖症儿童发生高胰岛素血症和(或)胰岛素抵抗有关。     

Effect of body mass index‐z score on adverse levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are associated with body mass index z‐score (BMISD) and/or insulin resistance (IR). However, the correlation between adverse levels of these risk factors and BMISD, and the effect of IR on these associations are not fully understood in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between adverse levels of CVD risk factors and BMISD, and the effect of IR on these associations in schoolchildren. Methods: Conventional CVD risk factors, C‐reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA) and adiponectin were determined in 757 boys and 494 girls aged between 7 and 12 years. IR was assessed by the homeostasis model approximation index. Results: BMISD were linearly associated with relative risks having adverse levels of all factors, except for glucose and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in boys, and except for glucose, LDL‐C and adiponectin in girls (P < 0.01–0.001). These associations were weakened after adjustment for IR, but still significant in cases of UA and CRP in boys and UA, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and CRP in girls (P < 0.01–0.001). Conclusion: The relative risk of having adverse levels of most CVD risk factors in school children increased across the entire range of BMISD. IR contributed to most of these relative risks, but BMISD itself also contributed to these relative risks. To prevent future development of CVD, it might be important for schoolchildren to maintain BMISD within normal range. However, in cases of hyper LDL‐cholesterolemia, we should consider causes other than BMISD.     

Contrasting longitudinal and cross‐sectional relationships between insulin resistance and percentage of body fat,fitness, and physical activity in children—the LOOK study

Background: Knowledge of individual changes in insulin resistance (IR) and longitudinal relationships of IR with lifestyle‐associated factors are of important practical significance, but little longitudinal data exist in asymptomatic children. We aimed to determine (a) changes in the homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) over a 2‐yr period and (b) comparisons of longitudinal and cross‐sectional relationships between HOMA‐IR and lifestyle‐related risk factors. Methods: Our subjects, 241 boys and 257 girls, were assessed at age 8.1 yr (SD 0.35) and again 2 yr later for fasting blood glucose and insulin, dual X‐ray absorptiometry‐assessed percentage of body fat (%BF), pedometer‐assessed physical activity (PA), and cardio‐respiratory fitness (CRF) by multistage running test. Results: HOMA‐IR was initially 9% greater in girls than boys and 27% greater 2 yr later. There was no evidence of longitudinal relationships between HOMA‐IR and %BF in boys or girls, despite significant cross‐sectional relationships (p < 0.001). In boys, there was evidence of a longitudinal relationship between HOMA‐IR and both PA (p < 0.001) and CRF (p = 0.05). In girls, we found a cross‐sectional relationship between HOMA‐IR and CRF (p < 0.001). Conclusions: HOMA‐IR increases between 8 and 10 yr of age and to a greater extent in girls. Longitudinal, unlike cross‐sectional, relationships do not support the premise that body fat has any impact on HOMA‐IR during this period or that PA or CRF changes affect HOMA‐IR in girls. These data draw attention to difficulties in interpreting observational studies in young children.     

Significance of acanthosis nigricans in childhood obesity

Aim: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is among the most common dermatologic manifestations of obesity and hyperinsulinism. In this study, we aimed to find the clinical and laboratory differences in obese children with AN and without AN (non‐AN). Methods: In total, 160 obese children were included in the study. The duration of obesity, body mass index (BMI), BMI z‐scores, birth weight, parental BMI, lipid profile, fasting and post‐meal (PM) glucose and insulin levels were compared in 67 obese with AN and 93 obese without AN. Results: Age was similar in both groups. AN group had higher male to female ratio (42/25 in AN, 43/50 in non‐AN; P = 0.03), higher BMI (30.3 ± 6.1 in AN, 26.4 ± 3.6 in non‐AN; P < 0.001) and weight for height (162.6 ± 28.8 in AN, 144.6 ± 15.8 in non‐AN; P < 0.001) than non‐AN group. There were no significant differences between the groups in birth weight, parental BMI and blood pressure. AN group had higher fasting (19.9 ± 16.2 mU/L in AN, 10.4 ± 7.6 mU/L in non‐AN; P < 0.001) and PM insulin (88.6 ± 87.3 mU/L in AN, 51.1 ± 42.0 mU/L in non‐AN; P = 0.01) and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (4.0 ± 2.5 in AN, 2.2 ± 1.8 in non‐AN; P < 0.001) than non‐AN group. However, fasting and PM glucose, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein‐, high‐density lipoprotein‐ and total cholesterol levels were similar in both groups. BMI was correlated with HOMA‐IR in both groups (r = 0.40 for AN, r = 0.28 for non‐AN). PM glucose and PM insulin were correlated in both groups (r = 0.56 for AN, r = 0.39 for non‐AN). However, fasting glucose and fasting insulin were correlated in only non‐AN (r = 0.25), but not in AN group. Conclusions: Obese children with AN show higher insulin levels and HOMA‐IR. AN is an important predictor of the insulin resistance in childhood obesity. Insulin secretory dynamics seem to be disrupted in fasting state initially, which is reflected as the loss of fasting insulin–glucose correlation in AN group.     

Telomere length in relation to insulin resistance,inflammation and obesity among Arab youth

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the associations of telomere length to markers of obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation in Saudi children. Methods: A total of 69 boys and 79 girls, aged 5–12 years, participated in this cross‐sectional study. Anthropometrics were measured. Serum glucose and lipid profile were measured using routine laboratory methods. Serum insulin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and active plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 were quantified using customized multiplex assay kits. C‐reactive protein and angiotensin II were quantified using ELISA. Leucocyte telomere length was examined by quantitative real time PCR utilizing IQ cycler. Results: Mean telomere length was significantly shorter in obese boys compared with their lean counterparts (p = 0.049), not in girls. It was not associated to insulin resistance, adipocytokines and markers of inflammation. In girls, the significant predictor of telomere length was waist circumference, explaining 24% of variance (p = 0.041) while in boys, systolic blood pressure explained 84% of the variance (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Childhood obesity in boys corresponds to shorter leucocyte telomere length which is not evident in girls. The association of leucocyte telomere length to blood pressure and waist circumference in children suggests clinical implications as to the contribution of these parameters in premature ageing.     

乌鲁木齐市家长喂养行为现状及其与儿童体重指数的相关性

目的 探讨家长喂养行为与儿童体重指数（BMI）间的相关性,为预防和干预儿童超重、肥胖提供科学依据。方法 采用分层随机整群抽样的方法,抽取乌鲁木齐市新市区7所幼儿园976名儿童,通过问卷调查和体格测量获得相关数据。结果 共发放调查问卷976份,收回有效问卷924份（94.7%）。儿童体重不足、超重、肥胖总检出率分别为3.1%（29例）、9.2%（85例）、6.7%（62例）。家长喂养行为以监督饮食水平最高,其次为限制饮食,逼迫进食水平最低。其中汉族儿童家长采用限制饮食及逼迫进食的水平高于维吾尔族儿童家长（P < 0.01）。家长喂养行为中,限制饮食与汉族及维吾尔族男童BMI均呈正相关（P < 0.01）;逼迫进食与汉族男童及女童BMI均呈负相关（P < 0.01）,与维吾尔族男童及女童BMI均呈正相关（P < 0.01）;监督饮食与维吾尔族和汉族男童及女童BMI均呈负相关（P < 0.05）。汉族及维吾尔族男童中超重/肥胖儿童其父母限制饮食得分高于正常体重儿童家长（P < 0.05）;维吾尔族男童及女童中,超重/肥胖儿童其父母逼迫进食得分高于正常体重儿童其家长（P < 0.01）;汉族、维吾尔族男童及女童中超重及肥胖儿童其父母监督饮食得分低于正常体重儿童家长（P < 0.01）。结论 乌鲁木齐市家长喂养行为状况总体较好,其中维吾尔族儿童家长喂养行为略优于汉族儿童家长。家长喂养行为与儿童BMI密切相关,其相关性在不同民族及性别间存在差异。高水平的监督饮食及低水平的限制饮食、逼迫进食可能有利于预防和控制儿童超重、肥胖的发生与发展。     

Executive function and somatic problems in adolescents with above target glycemic control

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes may be at elevated risk for somatic problems. This study used cross‐sectional, baseline data from an intervention to examine if problems with executive function (EF) were associated with greater somatic problems independent of poor adherence and disease severity in adolescents with type 1 diabetes and above target glycemic control. In addition, it examined whether certain types of EF skills, that is, metacognitive and behavior regulation, accounted for variance in somatic problems. Ninety‐three adolescents completed a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) blood test and parents completed adherence, somatic problems, and EF questionnaires, which measured metacognitive, behavior regulation, and global EF. Greater somatic problems had significant bivariate associations with greater global (r = 0.42, P < 0.01), metacognitive (r = 0.43, P < 0.01), and behavior regulation EF problems (r = 0.31, P < 0.01), worse adherence (r = ?0.39, P < 0.01), and poorer metabolic control (r = 0.26, P < 0.05). However, when adherence, metabolic control, and EF subscales were examined together in the same model, only greater global EF problems (b = 0.15, P < 0.01) and metacognitive EF problems (b = 0.16, P < 0.01) were independently associated with greater somatic problems; behavior regulation EF problems were not independently associated with greater somatic problems when controlling for adherence. Metacognitive EF problems may predict somatic problems in adolescents with above target glycemic control above and beyond physical symptoms related to disease management, underscoring the importance of proper assessment and treatment of these distinct somatic problems.     

Quantitative ultrasonometry of the calcaneus in children with osteogenesis imperfecta

Aims: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterised by low bone density and increased bone fragility. The aim was to evaluate calcaneal quantitative ultrasonometry (QUS) parameters in children with OI and to look for relationship with the number of prevalent fractures. Methods: Eighteen children (12 boys and six girls; mean age 9.8 ± 3.5 years) with OI (type I, n= 15; type IV, n= 3; mean fracture prevalence 3.7 per patient) had the velocity of sound (VOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) measured on both heels with a Cuba Clinical (McCue Ultrasonics, Winchester, UK) dry ultrasound portable device. Both BUA and VOS were expressed as either age‐dependent or height‐related values. The obtained values of VOS and BUA were correlated to number of prevalent fractures. Results: The patients were of short stature (Z‐score –1.73 ± 1.20 SD; P < 0.001). Both age‐related BUA and VOS were low in comparison to reference values (P < 0.0001), same as height‐adjusted BUA and VOS (P < 0.0001). We found no correlations between number of prevalent fractures and BUA or VOS (age‐related or height‐adjusted) (r= 0.02, r= 0.017, r=–0.13, r= 0.015, respectively). Conclusions: Children with OI have low QUS parameters with no relationship to number of prevalent fractures.     

Post‐transplant glucose status in 61 pediatric renal transplant recipients: Preliminary results of five Turkish pediatric nephrology centers

Buyan N, Bilge I, Turkmen MA, Bayrakci U, Emre S, Fidan K, Baskin E, Gok F, Bas F, Bideci A. Post‐transplant glucose status in 61 pediatric renal transplant recipients: Preliminary results of five Turkish pediatric nephrology centers.
Pediatr Transplantation 2010:14:203–211 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: To assess the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of PTDM, a total of 61 non‐diabetic children (24 girls, 37 boys, age: 14.5 ± 2.1 yr) were examined after their first kidney transplantation (37.3 ± 21.6 months) with an OGTT. At baseline, 16 (26.2%) patients had IGT, 45 (73.8%) had NGT, and no patient had PTDM. No significant difference was shown between TAC‐ and CSA‐treated patients in terms of IGT. Higher BMI z‐scores (p = 0.011), LDL‐cholesterol (p < 0.05) and triglyceride levels (p < 0.01), HOMA‐IR (p = 0.013) and lower HOMA‐%β (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with IGT. Fifty‐four patients were re‐evaluated after six months; eight patients with baseline IGT (50%) improved to NGT, three (19%) developed PTDM requiring insulin therapy, five (31%) remained with IGT, and four patients progressed from NGT to either IGT (two) or PTDM (two). These 12 progressive patients had significantly higher total cholesterol (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.05), HOMA‐IR (p < 0.01) and lower HOMA‐%β (p < 0.0) than non‐progressive patients at baseline. We can conclude that post‐transplantation glucose abnormalities are common in Turkish pediatric kidney recipients, and higher BMI z‐scores and triglyceride concentrations are the main risk factors. Considering that the progressive patients are significantly more insulin resistant at baseline, we suggest that the utility of both HOMA‐IR and HOMA‐%β in predicting future risk of PTDM and/or IGT should be evaluated in children.     

Adolescent girls' infant and young child nutrition knowledge levels and sources differ among rural and urban samples in Bangladesh

In many low‐income countries, girls marry early and have children very soon after marriage. Although conveying infant and young child nutrition (IYCN) knowledge to adolescent girls in time is important to ensure the well‐being of their children, little is known about the best ways to convey these messages. This study examines the extent of, and sources from which adolescent girls derive IYCN knowledge in order to inform the design of programmes that convey such information. Data on adolescent girls aged 12–18 was collected in 2013 in 140 clusters of villages in rural areas (n = 436), and 70 clusters of slums in urban areas (n = 345) in Bangladesh. Data were analysed using multivariable Poisson regression models. In both the urban and rural samples, girls' schooling is positively and significantly associated with IYCN knowledge (P < 0.01 and P < 0.10, respectively). IYCN knowledge of adolescent girls' mothers is also associated with adolescents' IYCN knowledge in both urban and rural samples, but the magnitude of association in the urban sample is only half that of the rural sample (P < 0.01 and P < 0.10, respectively). In Bangladesh, efforts to improve knowledge regarding IYCN are typically focused on mothers of young children. Only some of this knowledge is passed onto adolescent girls living in the same household. As other messaging efforts directed towards mothers have only small, or no association with adolescent girls' knowledge of IYCN, improving adolescent girls' IYCN knowledge may require information and messaging specifically directed towards them. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd     

Relationship between fat distribution and lipid and apolipoprotein profiles in young teenagers

The influence of obesity and fat distribution on serum levels of lipoprotein and apolipoprotein was investigated in 294 Japanese junior high school children (12-13 years of age). Serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) (P= 0.013), triglycerides (TG) (P= 0.0006), and apolipoprotein B (apoB) (P= 0.003), and the apoB/A-I ratio (P= 0.005) were significantly higher and serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) (P= 0.00003) and apoA-1(P = 0.003) were significantly lower in obese boys than in non-obese boys. The serum levels of TG (P = 0.013) and the apoB/A-1 ratio (P= 0.011) were significantly higher and the serum levels of HDLC (P= 0.004) was significantly lower in obese girls than in non-obese girls. The LDLC/apoB ratio was lower in obese girls than in non-obese girls (P= 0.03). Obesity ( 20% of ideal weight) was strongly correlated with the serum levels of lipids and apolipoproteins in boys; this relationship was less clear in girls. The degree of obesity and the body mass index (BMI) were more strongly correlated with serum levels of lipids and apolipoproteins in boys than in girls. In boys, atherogenic-lipoproteins and apolipoproteins, such as LDLC and apoB, showed a stronger correlation with the thickness of the triceps skinfold, while in girls the anti-atherogenic lipoproteins and apolipoproteins, such as HDLC and apoA-1, showed a stronger correlation with both the triceps and the subscapular skinfold thicknesses. In girls the relationships between the BMI and the degree of obesity and the thickness of the subscapular skinfold (S) thickness were similar to the relationships between those parameters and the triceps skinfold (T) thickness. In boys, these parameters showed a stronger correlation with the subscapular skinfold thickness than with the triceps skinfold thickness. The correlation coefficients for the relationships between skinfold thickness and lipid and apolipoprotein levels were similar to the coefficients for the relationships between skinfold thicknesses and the severity of obesity and the BMI. The distribution of central-type fat accumulation, which is indicated by the thickness of the subscapular skinfold, the S/T ratio and S-T value, was inversely correlated with the HDLC level in both boys and girls. The degree of obesity was strongly correlated with the atherogenic lipoprotein profile in boys, in part because the subscapular skinfold thickness was strongly correlated with the degree of obesity and the BMI. In girls, the correlations between indices of central-type obesity and atherogenic lipid and apolipoprotein profiles were stronger than in boys. These data suggest that childhood obesity may be an early cardiovascular risk factor.     

The association of elevated alanine aminotransferase and the metabolic syndrome in an overweight and obese pediatric population of multi-ethnic origin

We studied the association between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and features of the metabolic syndrome in a cohort of overweight and obese children aged 3–18 years. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 443 consecutive children from an obesity out-patient clinic (median age 11.2, range 3.1–18.0 years; n = 240 boys) of multi-ethnic origin. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, elevated ALT (>30 IU/L), and the association of ALT with (components of) the metabolic syndrome was assessed. The metabolic syndrome was present in 26.9%. Elevated ALT levels were found in 20.3%, with a higher prevalence in boys than in girls (25.8% versus 13.8%, P < 0.001). ALT was associated with the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, high triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol after adjustment for gender, age, and BMI. In conclusion, elevated ALT levels were highly prevalent and associated with the metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, high triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol in an obese multiethnic pediatric population.     

Premature pubarche as an indicator of how body weight influences the onset of adrenarche

Premature pubarche (PP) is defined as the development of pubic and/or axillary hair before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys. The objective was to obtain a clearer picture of the physiology of adrenarche by evaluating clinical-laboratory features of PP. The 216 consecutive children were classified according to their sex and age of onset of PP: PP occurred before 2 years in 21 girls and one boy, between 4 and 7.9 years in 162 girls and between 5 and 8.9 years in 28 boys. It occurred between 2 and 4 years in only four girls. The body mass index (BMI) was +2 SD in 2 children aged <2 years (9.1%), in 52 girls aged >4 years (32.5%) and in 13 boys aged >5 years (46.4%). The plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (S-DHEA) concentrations in children aged <2 years were lower than those expected in Tanner stage 2. They were higher in obese girls >4 years than in lean ones (P=0.009), with a positive correlation between S-DHEA and BMI z-score (P=0.004). Birth weights of girls >4 years were lower than those of the general population (P<0.01). Conclusion:premature pubarche is rare in boys. The cause in children aged <2 years is probably different than in older ones. Premature pubarche is associated with low birth weight in girls. The frequency of obesity and the correlation between dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels and body mass index suggest that body weight is involved in the onset of adrenarche.Abbreviations ACTH adrenocorticotropin - BMI body mass index - IUGR intrauterine growth retardation - PP premature pubarche - S-DHEA dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate - SD standard deviation     

Insulin resistance is associated with at least threefold increased risk for prothrombotic state in severely obese youngsters

Obesity in childhood increases the risk for early adult cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully known. The aims of this study were to measure levels of prothrombotic factors and examine their possible association with obesity and insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents. A total of 313 obese children and adolescents were recruited. In a cross-sectional design, we measured anthropometric parameters, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1-antigen (PAI-1-Ag), von Willebrand factor-antigen (vWF-Ag), fibrinogen (FB), lipids, fasting glucose, and insulin (FI) levels. Insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. Boys presented significantly higher PAI-1-Ag levels than girls (82.6 vs. 71.3 ng/ml, p = 0.01). Higher levels of PAI-1-Ag (96.8 vs. 69 ng/ml, p < 0.001), vWF-Ag (123.5 vs. 107.6%, p = 0.004) but not FB (353.1 vs. 337.6 mg/dl, p = 0.137) were found in insulin-resistant (IR) participants after adjusted for age, gender, and pubertal stage. IR patients were at 2.98 (CI: 1.084–8.193) and 4.86 (CI: 1.119–15.606) times greater risk for high PAI-1-Ag and vWF-Ag levels, respectively. All three prothrombotic factors were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and FI levels (p < 0.05), but only PAI-1-Ag and vWF-Ag were significantly correlated with HOMA-IR index (p ≤ 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, both BMI and HOMA-IR indices remained significantly associated with PAI-1-Ag (r ² = 0.225, p < 0.001) and vWF-Ag levels (r ² = 0.077, p = 0.003). Conclusion: This study shows that obesity in youngsters, when accompanied with insulin resistance, is associated with at least threefold increased risk for elevated levels of prothrombotic factors, contributing to the early development of atherothrombosis. This impaired prothrombotic state may partially explain the increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in adulthood.     

Evidence for an Association Between Type 1 Diabetes and Premature Carotid Atherosclerosis in Childhood

Acute phase proteins have been suggested to be increased in patients with type 1 diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and intima-media thickness (IMT) and functions of the common carotid artery (CCA) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Serum CRP levels were measured in 65 children and adolescents with diabetes (33 girls and 32 boys; mean age, 12.7 ± 3.8 years; range, 7–18; duration of diabetes, 6.9 ± 3.6 years). Age and diabetes duration, as well as major cardiovascular risk factors including anthropometric and metabolic parameters, were matched between girls and boys. The relations of serum CRP levels to CCA structure and functions were measured by ultrasonography as IMT, cross-sectional compliance, cross-sectional distensibility, diastolic wall stress (DWS), and incremental elastic modulus (IEM). There was no significant difference for serum CRP levels between girls and boys (3.7 ± 1.3 vs 3.2 ± 0.4 mg/L; p > 0.05). CRP was positively correlated with IMT (r = 0.49, p = 0.001), IEM (r = 0.24, p = 0.05), DWS (r = 0.58, p < 0.001), and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.28, p = 0.05). In a multivariate regression model, we included CRP and metabolic and anthropometric parameters such as duration of diabetes, HbA1c, BMI, waist:hip ratio, age, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure as independent variables in the model for CCA structure and functions. CRP emerged as an independent correlation for mean IMT (β = 0.51, p < 0.001) and DWS (β = 0.61, p < 0.001). According to our findings, CRP was associated with CCA structure and functions in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.     

Variance in the transaminase levels over the body mass index spectrum in 10‐ and 13‐year‐olds

Background: Transaminase levels increase with body mass index (BMI) and also with an extreme drop in the BMI, as in the case of patients with anorexia nervosa. We examined these levels over the BMI spectrum in Japanese 10‐ and 13‐year‐olds. Methods: Fifth‐ and eighth‐grade students (n= 3747) from all schools in Shunan City, Japan, between 2006 and 2008 were included in the study. BMI z‐score and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) were measured. Results: The ALT and GGT levels increased with z‐BMI values in the boys and 10‐year‐old girls (P≤ 0.001). In the 13‐year‐old girls, only the ALT levels increased with the z‐BMI values (P= 0.018). Similarly, the proportion of subjects with elevated ALT and GGT levels increased with the z‐BMI values (p_trend < 0.05). The AST levels were negatively associated with BMI in the girls (P < 0.001). Among the boys, these levels were elevated at the highest z‐BMI values and slightly elevated at lower values, but not significantly. These associations did not change after adjustments for confounders. Generalized additive model analyses revealed that transaminase had non‐linear relationships with z‐BMI, except for the AST levels in the girls. Conclusion: The elevated ALT and GGT levels were associated with high BMI in both sexes. In the same study population, however, AST increased in the girls with low BMI and in the boys with high BMI.     

Is there a gender difference in red blood cell thiopurine methyltransferase activity in healthy children?

We have examined red blood cell (RBC) thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity in a healthy population sample of Norwegian children, age 1–10 years. Boys had mean RBC TPMT activity of 11.1 ± 2.0 U (n = 87) vs. 10.6 ± 2.2 U (n = 71) in girls, the difference was not significant (P = 0.3). Age was negatively correlated to RBC TPMT activity (r_S = ?0.2, P = 0.01). As boys with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) tolerate more 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) than girls and have a higher risk of relapse, we have searched for pharmacokinetic causes of these gender differences. The gender difference in 6-MP tolerance and clinical outcome in children with ALL cannot be explained by the minor and nonsignificant higher RBC TPMT activity in boys compared to girls. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Growth, puberty and hypothalamic-pituitary function in children with suprasellar arachnoid cyst

A suprasellar arachnoid cyst may cause disorders of growth, puberty and hypothalamic-pituitary function, due to the proximity of the cyst to the hypothalamic-pituitary area. A total of 30 patients (17 boys) with cyst diagnosed at 4.3 ± 1 years were routinely evaluated at 5.4 ± 1 years; 24 of them had one or multiple cyst derivations. Some 23 cases had an abnormal height, weight or puberty: short (<−2SD, 5 cases) or tall (>2SD, 10 cases) stature, overweight (body mass index, BMI, >2SD, 6 cases), central precocious puberty (10 cases) and/or no progression of pubertal development (3 cases). The growth hormone (GH) peaks after pharmacological stimulation test were low (<10 μg/l) in 16 patients, confirmed by a second evaluation in 8/11 of them. The plasma free thyroxine was low in five patients, prolactin was high in two and the cortisol and concomitant plasma and urinary osmolalities were normal. BMI was correlated negatively with the GH peaks (r=−0.37, P < 0.01) and positively with the plasma leptin concentrations (r=0.55, P < 0.01). The plasma fasting insulin concentrations were also correlated negatively with the GH peaks (r=−0.55, P < 0.02) and positively with the plasma insulin-like growth factor I concentrations (r=0.64, P < 0.002). The adult height (12 cases) was at 4SD in 1 and <−2SD in 4 patients, two of whom had precocious puberty untreated with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, and two had untreated GH deficiency. The adult height of those treated was normal. One girl had primary amenorrhoea and two boys had low plasma testosterone, despite a normal gonadotropin response to a GnRH test. Conclusion Suprasellar arachnoid cysts may cause deficiencies of growth hormone and thyrotropin, stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, tall stature and/or overweight. These last two disorders may be due to hyperinsulinism, itself due to suprasellar arachnoid cyst. Received: 5 May 1999 / Accepted: 28 October 1999     

Change in prevalence of overweight and obesity in Finnish children – comparison between 1974 and 2001

Objective: To analyse the possible changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity comparing birth cohorts from four different decades in Finland. Design: A retrospective longitudinal growth study. Methods: The subjects representing five birth cohorts: 1974 (n = 1109), 1981 (n = 987), 1991 (n = 586), 1995 (n = 856) and 2001 (n = 766) in the city of Tampere and three rural municipalities in Finland. Data included five consecutive height and weight measurements from 2 to 15 years of age. Normal weight, overweight and obesity at the time points were classified by body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) according to international age‐ and gender‐specific BMI cut‐off points. The chi‐square test was used to analyse the differences in the between birth cohorts. Results: The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity decreased significantly in 2‐year‐old boys (p = 0.009) and girls (p = 0.002) from 1974 to 2001. Insignificant fluctuation was seen in 5‐ and 7‐year‐old children. Both the prevalence of obesity and the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity showed a significant increase in 12‐ (p = 0.031 and p < 0.001) and 15‐year‐old boys (p < 0.001 in both) from the 1970s to 2000s. In girls, the prevalence of obesity as well as the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity increased significantly in the age group of 12 years (p = 0.023), but not in that of 15 years. Conclusions: During the last three decades, overweight and obesity have become clearly more prevalent in Finnish young adolescents. This trend has been more obvious in boys than in girls. At the same time, 2‐year‐old children have shown an opposite trend.     

Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire for consumption of polyphenol‐rich foods in pregnant women

Previous studies have shown that maternal consumption of polyphenol‐rich foods after the third trimester of pregnancy may interfere with the anatomical and functional activity of the fetal heart as, to our knowledge, there are no validated instruments to quantify total polyphenols in pregnant women. The aim of this study was evaluate the reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), with 52 items, to assess the intake of polyphenol‐rich foods in pregnant women in Brazil. This cross‐sectional study included 120 pregnant women who participated in nutritional interviews in two moments. The intake of polyphenols estimated by the developed FFQ was compared with the average of two 24‐h recalls (24HR), with the average intake measured by a 3‐day food diary (D3days) and with the urinary excretion of total polyphenols. The triangular method was applied to calculate Pearson's correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation and Bland–Altman plots for the FFQ, using an independent biochemical marker, in addition to classification by quarters of consumption. The questionnaires were log transformed, adjusted for body mass index and gestational age. The adjustment for energy was applied only of 24HR and D3days. Analysis of the reproducibility between the FFQ showed a very high correlation (r = 0.72; P < 0.05). A low but significant association was observed between the FFQ and urinary excretion (0.23; P = 0.01). The association between the dietary survey methods was moderate to very high (r = 0.36 to r = 0.72; P < 0.001). In conclusion, this questionnaire showed reproducibility and validity for the quantification of consumption of total polyphenols in pregnant women.