Association of nerve conduction impairment and insulin resistance in children with obesity

Abstract

Aim: The objective of our study was to investigate nerve conduction in normoglycemic obese children. Methods: A total of 60 children with obesity (30 female and 30 male) and 30 healthy children (15 female and 15 male) were enrolled in the study. Insulin resistance (IR) and other metabolic disturbances were investigated and nerve conduction was measured in all participants. Obese children were divided into groups according to the presence of IR. All results were compared between these subgroups. Results: The nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of motor median nerves in the IR+ group was significantly higher than that in the IR− group and lower than that in the control group. The NCV of the motor peroneal nerve in the IR+ group was significantly lower than that in the IR− group. The sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of the sensory median nerve was significantly lower in the IR+ group compared to that in the IR− group. The sensory sural nerve’s SNAP was significantly lower in the IR+ group than that in the control group. Conclusion: Nerve conduction tests may help to detect early pathologies in peripheral nerves and to decrease morbidities in obese children.