Mîndru Dana Elena 1, Stana A. B. 2, Azoicăi Alice 2, Moraru Evelina 3
1 PhD student in Pediatrics
2 Assistant Lecturer in Pediatrics
3 Professor of Pediatrics, 2nd Pediatrics Clinic, “Sf. Maria” Children Emergency Clinical Hospital, Iaşi, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iaşi, Romania
Abstract
Introduction: Obesity, as a nutritional chronic disease, has an alarmingly rising prevalence in children, with a major risk for complications. Dyslipidemia is responsible for many comorbidities of obesity and its evaluation and management are compulsory. Objective: To evaluate the presence and prevalence of various dyslipidemic changes in obese children and adolescents, as well as evaluating their lipid profiles and the effects of specific therapeutic measures. Material and methods: The study group included 130 obese children aged 5 to 18 years, followed over 188 admissions in the 2nd Pediatric Clinic – Emergency Hospital for Children “St. Maria” Iaşi, Romania from January 2008 to January 2012. The inclusion criteria were the diagnosis of overweight and obesity. Patients were divided into three subgroups for therapeutic reasons, according to age: subgroup I – 5-9 years, subgroup II – 10-13 years and subgroup III – 14-18 years. There were performed anthropometric measurements to classify patients according to the degree of obesity and biological determinations. Results: Blood lipids were modified in more than 50% of obese children, in most cases hypertriglyceridemia, increased LDL-C and decreased HDL-C. Therapeutic measures were lifestyle changes and administration of ursodeoxycholic acid, vitamin E and probiotics. In 5 children was administered rosuvastatin. Conclusions: Obesity in children represents not only a nutritional risk, but also possible lifelong diseases. Evaluation of blood lipids and proper therapeutic measures can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome.