CHANGES IN C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH OBESITY.

Abstract

the childhood obesity is a serious public health problem because if weight gain continues, complications such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, orthopedic disorders, sleep apnea, and metabolic syndrome may occur in other stages of child development. the objective of this study was to evaluate C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, lipid profiles, and glucose levels in obese children three to five years of age and compare them to eutrophic children. in this study, 100 children aged three to five years were selected and divided into two groups (n = 50 per group): a group of eutrophic children (< 84th percentile) and a group of obese children (> 95th percentile). An anthropometric evaluation and quantification of plasma levels of ultrasensitive CRP, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and glucose were performed. the data showed a significant increase in obese children with regard to height (p < 0.005), weight (p < 0.0001), body mass index (p < 0.0001), ultrasensitive CRP (p < 0.0001), triglycerides (p < 0.0001), LDL (p < 0.0001), and glucose levels (p < 0.0001) as well as decreased levels of HDL (p < 0.0001) compared to eutrophic children. metabolic changes that occur in obese preschool children are characterized by increases in inflammatory markers and lipid profiles. Considering that during preschool age the programming and number of adipocytes that will remain with the individual for the rest of their life are determined, this stage is crucial in the development of complications associated with obesity.