Abstract

BRASIL, Adriana R. et al. C-Reactive protein as an indicator of low intensity inflammation in children and adolescents with or without obesity. J. Pediatr. (Rio J.) [online]. 2007, vol.83, n.5, pp. 477-480. ISSN 0021-7557.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0021-75572007000600014.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in children/adolescents with and without obesity and their correlation with body mass index (BMI) and clinical and laboratory variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study comparing two parallel groups, one a group of overweight or obese children/adolescents (obesity group, n = 131) and the other a control group of children/adolescents without obesity (control group, n = 114). High sensitivity nephelometry was used to determine hsCRP concentrations. RESULTS: The obesity group exhibited greater hsCRP concentrations than the control group (p < 0.0005). There were relationships between hsCRP and BMI (p < 0.0001) and hsCRP and triglycerides (p = 0.05). The relationship between hsCRP and triglycerides was attenuated by adjustment for BMI, losing its statistical significance (p = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: The hsCRP concentrations increased as BMI increased. The majority of individuals who were not overweight exhibited hsCRP concentrations of less than 2 mg/L.

Keywords : Obesity; overweight; inflammation; C-reactive protein.