Acanthosis Nigricans: A Common Finding in Overweight Youth

Abstract

We evaluated the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans among urban youth. Youth (7-17 years) at nine pediatric practices completed surveys on demographics and family history of diabetes and had weight and height measured. Acanthosis nigricans was scored and digital photography of the neck performed. A total of 618 youth were included in the analysis: mean age 11.5 years; 51% female; 61% African American, 27% Hispanic, 12% Caucasian, and 32% with body mass index >or=95th percentile. Acanthosis was found in 19%, 23%, and 4% of the African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian youth, respectively, and in 62% of youth with a body mass index >or=98 th percentile. Using multiple logistic regression, we found increasing body mass index z-score, presence of maternal gestational diabetes, female gender, and not being Caucasian each were independently associated with acanthosis nigricans. Acanthosis was common among overweight youth and was associated with risk factors for glucose homeostasis abnormalities. Acanthosis nigricans can be a trigger to counsel families on its causes and consequences; and thus motivate them to make healthy lifestyle changes that can decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome in fifth grade children with acanthosis nigricans: results from the CARDIAC project

“…AN prevalence rates depend upon child age and race, likely related to different prevalence rates of hyperinsulinemia. For example, one study found that in children aged 7-17 who visited urban primary care practices, between 4% and 23% were diagnosed with the presence of AN, [27] these rates being the lowest among Caucasian youths and the highest among African-American and Hispanic youths.…”

“…The presence of AN is strongly associated with elevated BMI in children, [13,27,28] with prevalence rates approximately at 66% among adolescents greater than 200% of ideal weight. [14] It is generally believed that AN is caused by hyperinsulinemia which in turn is associated with obesity.…”

Acanthosis Nigricans: relation to risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among Jamaican adolescents

“…This high prevalence was also expected in our study with a majority of the participants being of African descendants. When BMI and ethnicity were combined, other studies [50][51][52], found that children of any race had a 62% prevalence of AN if their BMI is greater than the 98 th percentile. Higgins [49] postulate that "the association of AN with IR may be due to high concentrations of insulin producing a potent proliferative effects by binding to Figure 1.…”

Pigmented Lesions of the Vulva

“…Tip 2 diabetli çocuklar-da %90, obez çocuklarda %32 oranında akantozis nigrikans gelişimi gözlenmiştir. AN diabete ek olarak diğer endokrinopatilere, niasin başta olmak üzere ilaçlara ve nadiren de malinitelere bağlı olarak gelişebilir (25). AN deri katlantılarında simetrik, kahverengi, belirsiz sınırlı, kadifemsi kalınlaşma olan plaklar şeklinde gözlenir.…”