[Characteristics of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents with arterial hypertension].

Unlabelled: Among the components of metabolic syndrome (MS) obesity, arterial hypertension, insulin resistance, abnormal plasma lipoproteins balance: decreased HDL concentration and increased level of triglycerides are mentioned. In diagnosis of MS the coexistence of three of these criteria is obligatory. MS is frequently diagnosed in adult patients. The aim of the study was the evaluation of MS components in the group of 118 children with arterial hypertension (HT) who were hospitalized in Pediatric Department of Silesian Medical University in Bytom. The criterium of qualification to HT group was: blood pressure higher than 97 percentile in at least 20% of ABPM measurements. BMI, glucose blood concentration, HDL levels, triglycerides (TG) levels, uric acid concentration were also analyzed. Thirty children (25%) presented at least three of MS components: 16 (53%) - three of them, 12 (40%) - four of them and 2 (6,7%) all of them. Mean age of children with MS was 13,5 years, the youngest was 6 years old. BMI of 83% children with metabolic syndrome was considerably above 97 percentile. 53% had low HDL levels and 80% high TG levels. TG levels highly increased above normal values for sex and age. Mean TG concentration was 2,26 mmol/l. 83% of our patients with MS had primary (idiopathic) arterial hypertension, at 13,3% arterial hypertension of renal cause.

Conclusions: The study revealed that all children with arterial hypertension especially those with primary HT should be evaluated for MS in order to start the early prevention of cardiovascular disease.