New research has now found a link between continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS) — a compilation of various metabolic indicators — and arterial stiffness among Indian children. With the help of this score, it is possible to identify the risk of arterial stiffness, thus detecting early atherosclerosis in children1.
The research, first ever conducted on Indian children, indicates a relationship between cMetS and the risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MS). MS is the co-occurrence of metabolic abnormalities associated with atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. These abnormalities are elevated levels of blood pressure, abdominal adiposity, triglycerides and glucose, and a low level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol.
In adults, core variables in MS are well defined, whereas there is no universal and uniform definition of MS in children and adolescents.
The study constructed and evaluated cMetS to identify children and adolescents at risk from routine health checks at a hospital. The cardio-metabolic risk in obese children was compared with normal-weight children. It indicated a graded relationship between cMetS and risk factors of MS.
The results demonstrate the usefulness of cMetS over individual MS components as a better tool for assessment of atherosclerotic risk in children, the researchers say.
