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A prospective study of homocysteine and its relation to body mass index and lipid profile in school children

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Abstract

Objective

To study the serum Homocysteine levels in children and its relation with body mass index (BMI), lipid profile and plasma glucose.

Methods

138 children (age 5–15 y) were enrolled and categorized into normal, overweight and obese group. Blood homocysteine, lipid profile and plasma glucose were estimated.

Results

Out of 138 children, 46 (33%) were normal, 40 (29%) were overweight and 52 (38%) were obese. Hyper-homocysteinemia was found in 34 (24.6%) of children. None of the normal children had hyperhomocysteinemia in contrast to 15 (37.5%) in overweight and 19 (36.5%) in obese group (P=0.001).The median homocysteine levels in obese and overweight children was significantly higher compared to normal children (P=0.001).There was a positive correlation between BMI and homocysteine levels. There was no significant correlation between lipid profile and plasma glucose with homocysteine levels.

Conclusions

Serum homocysteine levels are significantly higher in both overweight and obese children compared to normal children.

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Correspondence to K. Jagadish Kumar.

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Jagadish Kumar, K., Saldanha, K., Sushma, K. et al. A prospective study of homocysteine and its relation to body mass index and lipid profile in school children. Indian Pediatr 54, 935–937 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-017-1185-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-017-1185-0

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