Acanthosis Nigricans Identifies Youth at Risk for Diabetes

Often seen in obese youth, this condition could signal the presence of insulin resistance or more-advanced disease.

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is commonly associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Occurring in approximately one of five black and Latino youth, its prevalence increases with the body-mass index (BMI) z-score. Insulin resistance has been found in up to 90% of youth with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, youth with type 2 diabetes have been found to be at high cardiovascular risk with hypertension and atherogenic lipid profiles.

Investigators studied the prevalence of abnormal glucose homeostasis and cardiovascular risk factors in children with AN. Among children aged 8 to 14 years recruited from urban community pediatric offices, 236 were identified as AN+ (Hale neck score, ≥2; BMI z-score, 2.3 kg/m²); 51 children without neck AN bu…

Reviewing Author

Mary Wu Chang, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Pierre Fabre; Valeant

Speaker’s bureauPierre Fabre

Mary Wu Chang, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Pierre Fabre; Valeant

Speaker’s bureauPierre Fabre

Acanthosis Nigricans Identifies Youth at Risk for Diabetes

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Reviewing Author