THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN METABOLIC SYNDROME AND ANEMIA IN OBESE CHILDREN OVER FIVE YEARS OLD

*Yara Saoud, Ahmad Chreitah and Maha Khouri

ABSTRACT

Background: Obesity in children is an important public health problem and an independent risk factor for many complications such as anemia. The reduction of iron is observed in obese individuals and metabolic conditions such as metabolic syndrome. However, the dual burden of anemia and obesity in the development of metabolic disorders is challenging due to their complex interactions. Objective: To assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome and the severity of anemia in obese children over 5 years old. Materials and Methods: An observational analytic (Cross-Sectional) study included 130 obese children over 5 years old who were followed up at the Pediatric Endocrine Clinic at Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia between March 2023 and May 2024. We used the National Cholesterol Education Program Third Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP III) definition to diagnose Metabolic syndrome. Results: A total of 130 obese children included 76 females (58.5%) and 54 males (41.5%), 60 children (46.2%) had Metabolic Syndrome, and 69 children (53.1%) had anemia. The range of children's ages was from 5 to 16 years. The prevalence of anemia in children with Metabolic syndrome was (50.7%), versus (41%) had Metabolic Syndrome without anemia. Conclusion: The study observed a direct association between Metabolic syndrome and moderate anemia in obese children. Notably, obesity appeared to be a potential risk factor for anemia, with a higher prevalence among females than males. Furthermore, microcytic anemia was the most common type among obese children.

Keywords: anemia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, children.