Association between white blood cell count and components of metabolic syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) were found to be associated with several inflammatory factors including white blood cell count (WBCC), which is an easily available test in clinical practice. In the present study, the relationships between WBCC and MetS components were investigated in children.


METHODS
A total of 288 Taiwanese children, under 10 years old, with normal WBCC, were enrolled in the study. They were divided into quartiles according to WBCC (lowest, WBCC1; highest, WBCC4). The mean values of each MetS component for every group were compared in boys and girls separately. Multivariate linear regression between the WBCC and the MetS components after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI) were also evaluated.


RESULTS
In group comparison, only the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) was found to be significantly lower in WBCC4 in boys. Other components were not different. After multivariate linear regression, WBCC was negatively correlated to HDL-C and positively to BMI in boys. Although not significant, similar relationships were also observed in girls. Interestingly, borderline positive correlation was noted between triglyceride (TG) and WBCC in girls.


CONCLUSIONS
BMI was positively and HDL-C was negatively related to WBCC in boys. A similar trend could also be observed in girls but without significance. Borderline significant correlation between TG and WBCC was noted in girls. These findings suggest that cardiovascular risks might commence even in childhood. Early detection of children with these abnormalities may help to prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adolescence or even adulthood.
Department of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chung-Ze
CZ
Wu
Jiunn D
JD
Lin
Jer-Chuan
JC
Li
Shi-Wen
SW
Kuo
Chang-Hsun
CH
Hsieh
Wei-Chen
WC
Lian
Chien-Hsing
CH
Lee
Hsiang-Lin
HL
Wan
Yi-Jen
YJ
Hung
Dee
D
Pei
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides