Endocrinologie et syndrome métabolique
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Metabolic Syndrome: Criteria for Diagnosing in Children and Adolescents

Loreana Sanches Silveira, Camila Buonani, Paula Alves Monteiro, Bárbara de Moura Mello Antunes and Ismael F Freitas Júnior

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is defined as a group of risk factors related to insulin resistance and its highest prevalence is found in obese individuals. The first observations concerning MS occurred in the 1920s, contributing to a surge of new associations between hyperglycemia and obesity. As of 1979, there was a greater understanding of one of its components: insulin resistance. The prevalence of MS varies according to the diagnostic criterion used, mainly for children and adolescents among which its prevalence has increased considerably. The principle criteria used in diagnosing the pediatric population are the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program and Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III), World Health Organization (WHO) and I Prevention Directive against Atherosclerosis in Infancy and Adolescence, and due to their differences, the prevalence of the syndrome varies according to the diagnostic criterion used. Nevertheless, many points should be taken into consideration in choosing a criterion, such as sample size, age, applicability, risk factors to be considered and available resources. In this context, efficiency and applicability are advantages in distinct criteria.