Objective: To evaluate the presence or absence of acanthosis nigricans and its association with metabolic alterations in a group of obese and overweight children and adolescents.Methods: A cross sectional study of 161 overweight children and adolescents, who were divided into two groups, according to presence or absence of acanthosis nigricans. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index, skinfolds, abdominal circumference), blood pressure, laboratory tests (fasting glycemia, insulin, lipid profile, triglycerides, uric acid, transaminases) and homeostasis model assessment index.Results: The acanthosis nigricans group represented 51.5% of the sample. The mean age was similar between groups. The group with acanthosis nigricans presented higher body mass index, Z score of body mass index, body fat percentage, abdominal circumference (p<0.0001), systolic (p=0.006) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.002). There was no significant difference in the analysis of lipid profile, except for the high-density cholesterol, which was lower (p=0.003) in the group with acanthosis. On the other hand, uric acid (p<0.0001), fasting glycemia (p=0.006), insulin (p<0.0001), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (p<0.0001), and homeostasis model assessment index (p<0.0001) were significantly higher in the group with acanthosis nigricans.Conclusions: Acanthosis nigricans in overweight and obese children and adolescents is associated with elevation of body fat, blood pressure, insulin and homeostasis model assessment index, indicating that it is a clinical marker associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Objective: To establish ultrasound reference values for thyroid volumes in children up to 3 years of age, given that ultrasound of the thyroid is an essential examination in the diagnosis of childhood thyroid disease. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in an iodine-sufficient city in southeastern Brazil. A total of 100 healthy children underwent clinical evaluation, anthropometric examination, and cervical ultrasound in accordance with conventional protocols. We evaluated characteristics such as echotexture, thyroid lobe volume, and total thyroid volume. The children were divided into five groups, by age: < 2 months; 2-12 months; 12-18 months; 18-24 months; and 24-36 months. Results: The mean thyroid volume was lower in the < 2 month age group than in the other groups (0.4 mL vs. 0.18-0.70 mL; p < 0.001). For the subjects between 2 and 36 months of age, the mean volume was 1.0 mL (range, 0.30-2.0 mL). No other significant differences were observed between groups, thyroid lobes, or gender. However, body mass index correlated significantly with total thyroid volume (r = 0.347; p = 0.001). Conclusion: The mean thyroid dimensions were smallest in the < 2 month age group (0.35 ± 0.16 mL). For the subjects between 2 and 36 months of age, a reference value of 0.85 ± 0.42 mL can be used. Our data could guide the diagnostic investigation of thyroid disease, especially congenital hypothyroidism, in childhood.