Evaluation of metabolic syndrome after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents.

Background: To determine the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the Chilean National Program.

Procedures: Descriptive and cross-sectional study including 69 patients was conducted. Body mass index, pubertal development, waist circumference, arterial pressure (AP), and triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and glucose levels were recorded at the time of study entry. The National Cholesterol Education Program (Adult Treatment Panel III, as modified by the American Heart Association) criteria are often used to diagnose MS in adults; however, for children and adolescents we followed criteria according to De Ferranti and American Diabetes Association. Statistical analyses were performed with a chi-square test or Fisher's exact test according to sample size.

Results: Sixty-nine patients were studied. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 12.9 years, and the median time of follow-up post-transplant was 4 years. Forty-three patients were males, 54 patients had malignant diseases, and 59 patients received allogeneic transplants. Of the 69 patients, 32% had MS; the most common MS features were abdominal obesity (73%), hypertriglyceridemia (91%), and a low HDL-cholesterol level (96%). The most significant risk factor for MS was corticosteroid therapy use pre- (P < 0.03) and post-HSCT (P < 0.03), obesity and overweight associated with MS (P < 0.001). No patient developed cardiovascular complications.

Conclusions: The prevalence of MS was 32%, which was significantly higher than in a healthy pediatric population. We recommend prolonged follow-up for transplant recipients, coupled with enforcement of preventive measures, such as early diagnosis and encouragement of a healthy lifestyle.