Focus on Individual Components of Metabolic Syndrome, Not Its Definition

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that identifying and treating individual risk factor components of metabolic syndrome is more important than determining whether a child has MetS.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is well-defined in adults, but its definition and utility in pediatrics is uncertain. To guide clinicians, the AAP issued a clinical report with the following highlights:

There is no universally accepted definition of MetS for children, and since most MetS cases occur among obese youth, the value of a MetS diagnosis in guiding management beyond obesity-related recommendations is unclear. Furthermore, many children diagnosed with MetS no longer meet criteria 3–6 years later.
The AAP already recommends screening all children yearly for elevated blood pressure and obesity (using body-mass index) and screening those ages 9–11 for nonfasting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or fasting lipids. Obese children should als…

Reviewing Author

Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Focus on Individual Components of Metabolic Syndrome, Not Its Definition

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Reviewing Author