Abstract
BackgroundInformation on the association between iron metabolism and dyslipidaemia in children is limited. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the iron metabolic status of children with different body mass index (BMI) and to examine the association between iron metabolism and dyslipidaemia risk.MethodIn total, 1866 children and adolescents aged 7–18 were enrolled in this study, including 912 boys and 954 girls. In this cross-sectional study, parameters for anthropometry, lipids and iron metabolism including transferrin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), ferritin and serum iron (SF) were evaluated. Data regarding demographic characteristics, diet, and physical activity were collected by self-reported questionnaires.ResultsThe prevalence of dyslipidaemia and iron deficiency in children and adolescents increased based on BMI categories (both P < 0.05) and were 58.3 and 8.9% in subjects with obesity, respectively. The lowest SF and the highest ferritin levels were observed in subjects who were obese (both P < 0.001). Subjects with dyslipidaemia had lower SF, transferrin and sTfR levels by different BMI categories, and those who were obese had higher ferritin levels (all P < 0.05). Most importantly, higher concentrations of transferrin and sTfR were related to lower dyslipidaemia risk (OR for transferrin: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.33–0.71; OR for sTfR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46–0.99).ConclusionsA downward trend in SF level by BMI categories and the highest ferritin level in subjects with obesity suggested that iron storage was associated with BMI in children and adolescents. Moreover, an inverse relationship was observed between transferrin and sTfR concentrations and dyslipidaemia risk in children with different BMI.
Highlights
Among children, dyslipidaemia, obesity, and other risk factors have been associated with the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and subsequent adverse cardiovascular outcomes [1]
The prevalence of dyslipidaemia and iron deficiency in children and adolescents increased based on body mass index (BMI) categories and were 58.3 and 8.9% in subjects with obesity, respectively
Higher concentrations of transferrin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were related to lower dyslipidaemia risk (OR for transferrin: 0.49, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.33–0.71; Odds ratio (OR) for sTfR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46–0.99)
Summary
Dyslipidaemia, obesity, and other risk factors have been associated with the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and subsequent adverse cardiovascular outcomes [1]. In 2011–2012, the prevalence of dyslipidaemia reached 20.2% among children in the US, suggesting that one in five teenagers in the US had adverse lipid concentrations and faced a higher risk of atherosclerosis [2]. Previous epidemiological studies have reported that iron metabolic alteration, such as ferritin or serum iron, which are known as indicators of iron storage, are associated with oxidative stress and adverse lipid concentration in children and adults [7,8,9]. Several studies have reported that transferrin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) are associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular risk factors in adults and children [10,11,12]. This study aims to evaluate the iron metabolic status of children with different body mass index (BMI) and to examine the association between iron metabolism and dyslipidaemia risk
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