title: Is premature adrenarche a risk factor for atherogenesis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate serum lipids and atherosclerosis risk in children with premature adrenarche (PA) in comparison with age-matched controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) levels were studied in 24 girls with premature adrenarche and 13 healthy age-matched controls after overnight fasting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bone age, weight and body mass index were higher in the premature adrenarche group than the control group. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure of patients were higher than controls. The mean total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), TC/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, and atherogenic index were significantly higher in the premature adrenarche group compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the levels of apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein (a) in both groups. In the premature adrenarche group there were inverse correlations between the levels of IGFBP-1 and TC/HDL-C (rho, -0.54; P, 0.011), and LDL-C/HDL-C (rho, -0.50; P < 0.05) and atherogenic index (AI; rho, -0.54; P < 0.05). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels of the patients was negatively correlated with AI and TC/HDL-C (rho, -0.0503, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Girls with premature adrenarche should be investigated for serum lipids, and atherogenic risk criteria should be assessed periodically in the follow up of patients with PA, as PA seems to be a risk factor for future atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. aylaguven@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ayla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Güven
authors.forename: Peyami
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cinaz
authors.forename: Aysun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bideci
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D049628:Body Size; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids