WIP 13 - Risk Factors for Developing Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents

Poster Number: WIP 13
Publication Number: WIP 13.770

Background: With the growing rate of pediatric obesity, adolescents are increasingly affected by chronic diseases. Metabolic syndrome is a multisystemic condition caused by dysregulated cellular metabolism, leading to insulin resistance, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and PCOS. There are several risk factors, but currently no consensus guideline for the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome.
Based on AAP guidelines, we check fasting glucose, lipid panel, ALT and AST for children with elevated BMI. Although fasting insulin is not routinely checked, various studies suggest that hyperinsulinaemia is the earliest subclinical metabolic abnormality. Other markers of insulin resistance include acanthosis, adipose deposition causing liver inflammation, hemoglobin A1c, and waist circumference. Through this research proposal, we hope to find risk factors that better detect insulin resistance and ultimately improve prevention of long term consequences of metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Determine prevalence of obesity in patients >2 years in clinic, as well as identify their demographics.
Identify sub-set of pediatric patients >10 years at risk of metabolic syndrome by educating providers on improved screening and recognition of insulin resistance.
Using the above information, determine correlations between pre-determined risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome and ultimately provide a tool to identify pediatric patients who can benefit from early recognition and interventions.

Design/Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review to obtain the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Pediatric population >2 years of age in clinic, breaking down age, ethnicity, and gender.
We are screening clinic patients >10 years of age with BMI >95% with of documentation blood pressure, acanthosis, waist circumference, triglyceride:HDL ratio, fasting insulin and glucose, HgbA1c, AST, ALT.
With IRB approval, we are reviewing these patient charts, to determine correlations and identify predictors. We plan to analyze the data in January 2024.