The epidemiological burden of pediatric metabolic syndrome in europe: A systematic literature review
 
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1
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy Italy
 
2
Graduate School of Health Economics and Management (ALTEMS), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
 
3
VIHTALI (Value In Health Technology and Academy for Leadership & Innovation), Spin-Off of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy VIHTALI (Value In Health Technology and Academy for Leadership & Innovation), Spin-Off of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy Italy
 
4
Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; VIHTALI (Value In Health Technology and Academy for Leadership & Innovation), Spin-Off of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
 
 
Publication date: 2023-04-26
 
 
Popul. Med. 2023;5(Supplement):A1207
 
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective:
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence in children and adolescents is increasing, in parallel with the increasing trends in obesity rates. Consistent diagnostic criteria to define MetS are not available to date for pediatric population. There is common agreement that the main features defining MetS include disturbed glucose metabolism, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity. However, settings of cut-off values are still heterogeneous in the pediatric population. Prevention and management of MetS consist in lifestyle modifications, behavioral interventions, pharmacological and surgical interventions as needed. Therefore, knowing the MetS epidemiological burden is necessary in order to identify adequate prevention strategies for this condition that, if not managed, can lead to important complications in adulthood.

Methods:
A systematic literature review was performed querying two database (PubMed, Web of Science) from 2012 to 2022. All studies in English language, focused on the epidemiological burden of MetS in the pediatric population and conducted in Europe were included.

Results:
Overall, 15 studies were included, conducted in 7 countries, in which Spain was highly represented (33.3%), followed by Italy, Slovakia, Poland and Romania (13.3% per country), Czech Republic, Lithuania (6.7% per country). It was described a MetS prevalence, according to International Diabetes Federation criteria, ranged from 1.4% to 55.8%. MetS was most represented in the 11-16 year age group, in males and in overweight/obese subjects.

Conclusions:
MetS is a serious disorder associated with multiple diseased states. The definition and criteria for MetS in childhood remains uncertain to date. Obesity in childhood is a risk for MetS later in life and early intervention may help attenuate the disease process. It would be necessary for clinicians to identify at-risk patients and provide guidance on prevention and management of this disease. Further research is needed to gain a better understanding of this syndrome.

ISSN:2654-1459
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