ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: The complications of obesity are well recognised and documented in the adult population. There is little data available that reports the complications of childhood obesity seen in clinical practice. The aim of our study is to investigate the different types of complications seen in children and young people (CYP) with obesity.

Methods: 125 CYP aged 0-18 years who had a body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS) of two or more above the mean were included. Data was collected retrospectively, and the complications identified in each patient analysed.

Results: The mean age of the CYP was 10.9 years (SD±3.62, range: 2-18). 81 patients were female and 44 were male. The average BMI was 32.9kg/m² (SD±6.6, range: 22.7-58.3) and average BMI SDS was +3.5 (SD±1.1, range: +2.06-+7.85). 47% of patients had 2 or more complications secondary to obesity, and a further 33% had at least one complication related to obesity. Dyslipidaemia was the most common complication and was seen in 25% of the individuals. This was followed by hypertension and mental health issues (18% each). Mental health issues included depression, anxiety and self-harm. 31% of patients had risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [family history, acanthosis nigricans and/or insulin resistance]. Of those who had an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 11.4% of the CYP were diagnosed with pre-diabetes and 9% with T2DM. 21% of patients were diagnosed or had symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea and 11% had mobility issues. Abnormal puberty was seen in 10% and 18% of individuals were diagnosed or had symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. Other complications include raised intracranial pressure, slipped upper femoral epiphysis, skin infections, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, gynaecomastia and nocturnal enuresis.

Conclusion: Overall, 80% of our cohort had at least one complication secondary to their obesity. As these complications have potential to seriously impact the quality of life of these individuals in addition to long term morbidity and mortality, it is important to identify and manage these complications at an early stage along with a co-ordinated effort aimed at weight loss to mitigate the complications and co-morbidities.