Homocysteine, fibrinogen and anti-ox-LDL antibody levels as markers of atherosclerosis in prepubertal obese children.

Background: Homocysteine, fibrinogen and antibodies to oxidised LDL were shown to be important markers of atherosclerosis in adults.

Aim: To investigate the levels of these three risk factors in prepubertal obese children.

Methods: Fasting homocysteine, fibrinogen and antibodies to oxidised LDL, plasma lipids, insulin, HbA1c and blood glucose levels were investigated in 30 prepubertal obese and 28 control children 6-9 years old. Investigations in the obese group were repeated after an oral glucose tolerance test.

Results: Fasting fibrinogen levels of the obese children were found to be significantly higher than those in the controls. Anti-ox-LDL antibody levels increased significantly after an oral glucose tolerance test.

Conclusion: Fasting fibrinogen and postload ox-LDL levels which could act as important markers of coronary heart disease in later life could also be important risk factors in prepubertal obese children.