Effects on the inflammation markers and renal functions in childhood obesity

Obesity is an increase in adipose tissue resulting from complex interactions between food intake, physical activity, genetics and body metabolism. Complications like hypertension, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia which are secondary to obesity have been known and evaluated for a long time. Recently, researchers focus on the relationship between cytokines and obesity. Data related to this subject during childhood period is limited. For this reason we evaluated the relationship between inflammation criteria and body mass index in healthy school children. We also evaluated whether there is an affect of obesity on renal functions. Sixtyfive healthy obese children were included in this study and 10 healthy voluntary children were chosen as the control group. BMI (body mass index), BMIsd (standard deviation score of body mass index) values of all patients were calculated, blood and urine analysis were performed. CRP (C-reactive protein), ceruloplasmin, HOMA index (homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), insulin, cholesterol levels, leukocyte and thrombocyte counts were higher in the obese children than the control group (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference between two groups in protein and microalbumin excretion in urine. GFR was found to increase as the BMI increases (r=0.38, p=0.001). There was a positive correlation between the BMIsd and CRP, ceruloplasmin, leukocyte count, GFR. In this study, We demonstrated that acute phase reactants like CRP, ceruloplasmin and inflammatory mediators increase significantly in obese children, and GFR increases as the BMI increases. These results show that the effects of obesity on renal functions and body metabolism start at early ages. In order to prevent the obesity related complications in adulthood, it is important to take precautions for preventing the development of obesity during childhood period.