Objective: The aim of our study was to assess serum Adiponectin, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels and their correlation with conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in overweight/obese Indian children.
Methods: Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting serum adiponectin, IL-6, hsCRP, blood glucose, triglycerides, and total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured in children aged 7-15 years with BMI >85th centile.
Results: 84 overweight/obese children (48 boys) with mean (SD) age 10.2 (1.9) years were enrolled. Mean (SD) adiponectin, hsCRP and median (IQR) IL-6 levels were 6.0 (3.1) µg/mL, 3.4 (2.4) mg/L and 12.7 (5.0-90.0) pg/mL, respectively. Low adiponectin, high hsCRP and high IL-6 were noted in 16.5%, 49.4% and 54.4% participants, respectively. Adiponectin was inversely correlated with waist circumference, and IL-6 positively with BMI and blood glucose.
Conclusion: Inflammatory mediators, hsCRP and IL-6 were elevated in half of the overweight children. Adiponectin and IL-6 correlated well with traditional risk markers.