Objective: To investigate the relationships between metabolic syndrome (MS), other metabolic features and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in a population of obese children and adolescents with MS.
Methods: Two hundred and eight obese children and adolescents (119 girls and 89 boys, mean age: 11.9±2.7 years) and control subjects (24 girls and 26 boys, mean age: 11.4±2.9 years) were enrolled in the study. The insulin sensitivity index and LVMI were determined. The International Diabetes Federation criteria were used to diagnose MS.
Results: The obese patients were divided into MS group (n = 55) and non-MS (n = 153) group. The values of LVMI in the MS group were significantly higher than those in the non-MS group (p = 0.014). The present LVMI cut-off point of 33g/m2 for the diagnosis of MS yielded a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 98%. LVMI was found to be positively correlated in univariate analysis with height, weight, body mass index (BMI)¬ SDS, fasting insulin level, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting glucose insulin ratio (FGIR) and negatively correlated with quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICK-I).
Conclusions: We suggest that our optimal LVMI cut-off value for identifying MS may be considered as a sensitive index in screening obese children and adolescents for pediatric MS. Assessment of LVMI in obese children and adolescents may be used as a tool in predicting the presence of MS and its associated cardiovascular risks.