Microalbuminuria in obese children

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a global pandemic both in adults and children and many factors contribute to this pandemic. Early diagnosis and prevention of long-term complications associated with obesity is the main goal of treatment in addition to dietary control and lifestyle modifications. Microalbuminuria, a marker of impending renal insult in adults is less understood in children. The objective of this study was to determine microalbuminuria in obese children 5-18 years of age.Methods: This study was single centre, and cross-sectional observational study. Children between 5-18 years of age with obesity (Body mass index >95th centile for sex and age) participated in the study. Microalbuminuria based on urinary albumin to creatinine ratio and relation to obesity was studied.Results: Fifty-four children (M:F=0.9:1) were included in the study. Family history of obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus was present in 53.7% (n=29), 33.3% (n=18), 27.8 (n=15) children respectively. Microalbuminuria was observed in two children (3.8%). Mean BMI (38.25±7.42 kg/m2 vs 26.13±4.13 kg/m2) (p=0.009), mean waist circumference (97.50±4.95, vs 83.52±0.94 cm) (p=0.044), mean waist hip ratio (0.93±0.04 vs 0.88±0.09) was more in children with microalbuminuria when compared to without microalbuminuria. One obese child with microalbuminuria had hypertension.Conclusions: Microalbuminuria, though a good marker of renal insult in adults, may not be prevalent in obese children. It may me more prevalent in obese children with higher BMI, truncal obesity and WHR, hence these children should be screened for the same.