Özet:

Aim: Obesity associated with metabolic syndrome is characterized by glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and other hormonal disorders in childhood. Unfortunately, if the preventive measures are not taken in time they become obese in the adult age. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the pediatric age group is still not well known in our country. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other metabolic characteristics in the obese prepubertal and pubertal children. Material and methods: We studied 70 obese children and adolescents. Each child was subjected to detailed examination including anthropometric measures, blood testing (biochemistry, blood fasting glucose, renal and hepatic function tests, lipids, electrolytes, hormonal testing including free T3, free T4, TSH, thyroid autoantibodies, fasting insulin levels and oral glucose tolerance test). The criteria of metabolic syndrome were defined according to modified WHO criteria. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) parameters were used as index of insulin resistance. Results: Metabolic syndrome was found in 18.8% of cases. Metabolic syndrome was found in a significantly higher rate in the pubertal prepubertal group (P > 0.05). The data related with glucose homeostasis; fasting hyperinsulinemia, impaired glucose tolerance were 33.3% and 5.5% in the prepubertal group, where it was 64.7% and 23.5% in the pubertal group, respectively. Hypertension was observed in four pubertal cases (11.7%). Dyslipidemia were identified in 41.6% and 41.1% in prepubertal and pubertal groups, respectively, with no significant differences (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome prevalence especially abnormal glucose homoeostasis among the obese pediatric age group was quite high. We suggested that, early diagnosis, regularly follow-up and if needed, treatment will prevent beta-cell destruction and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in these cases. Key words: Childhood obesity, obesity prevalence, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus

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