Keywords: metabolic syndrome X, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, obesity, growth hormone/deficiency, endothelium, vascular/physiopathology
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Copyright © 2008 Siviero-Miachon et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd. This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, provided the original work is properly cited. Detection of metabolic syndrome features among childhood cancer survivors: A target to prevent disease Correspondence: Gil Guerra-Junior Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), PO Box 6111, Campinas, SP, Brazil 13083-970 Tel +55 19 3521 8923 Fax +55 19 3521 8925 Email
gilguer/at/fcm.unicamp.br | ||||
Abstract Along with the growing epidemic of obesity, the risk of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease morbidity, and mortality are increasing markedly. Several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as visceral obesity, glucose intolerance, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidemia commonly cluster together as a condition currently known as metabolic syndrome. Thus far, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction are the primary events of the metabolic syndrome. Several groups have recommended clinical criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in adults. Nonetheless, in what concerns children and adolescents, there are no unified definitions, and modified adult criteria have been suggested by many authors, despite major problems. Some pediatric disease states are at risk for premature cardiovascular disease, with clinical coronary events occurring very early in adult life. Survivors of specific pediatric cancer groups, particularly acute lymphocytic leukemia, central nervous system tumors, sarcomas, lymphomas, testicular cancer, and following bone marrow transplantation, may develop metabolic syndrome traits due to: hormonal deficiencies (growth hormone deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and gonadal failure), drug or radiotherapy damage, endothelial impairment, physical inactivity, adipose tissue dysfunction, and/or drug-induced magnesium deficiency. In conclusion, some primary and secondary prevention remarks are proposed in order to reduce premature cardiovascular disease risk in this particular group of patients. Keywords: metabolic syndrome X, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, obesity, growth hormone/deficiency, endothelium, vascular/physiopathology | ||||