Screening for metabolic syndrome in children aged 10-18 years with parental history of premature coronary artery disease

Abstract

Background: The metabolic syndrome is appearing with increasing frequency in children and adolescents and is characterized by the clustering of abdominal obesity, impaired fasting blood glucose (FBS), hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol and hypertension. Objective of this study was to screen for components of metabolic syndrome in children aged 10-18 years with parental history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) and to compare them with children without parental history of premature coronary artery disease.Methods: A total of 90 children each between the ages of 10-18 years were selected as the study group and comparison group. These children were screened for components of metabolic syndrome like fasting blood sugar, hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia. Diet and hours of physical activity were assessed. Statistical analysis was carried out through SPSS for windows (version 17.0).Results: The most common component of metabolic syndrome in the study group was abnormal FBS followed by elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, obesity and hypertension. The mean values of FBS, Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol, triglycerides were found to be significantly higher in the study group. Children in the study group had a higher mean body mass index (BMI) and a history of excessive oily food intake with a sedentary lifestyle.Conclusions: Children with parental history of premature coronary artery disease have higher incidence of dyslipidemia and abnormal FBS. Children in the study group had a sedentary lifestyle with unhealthy diet practices.