Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab.  2017 Jun;22(2):108-114. 10.6065/apem.2017.22.2.108.

The association between skeletal maturation and adrenal androgen levels in obese children and adolescents

• Kim SE
• Jang JW
• Ahn MB
• Kim SH
• Cho WK
• Cho KS
• Park SH
• Jung MH
• Suh BK

• KMID: 2383905
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2017.22.2.108

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate the association between skeletal maturation and adrenal androgen levels in obese children and adolescents.
METHODS
Fifty-three children and adolescents (aged 7-15 years) diagnosed as obese or overweight were investigated. Anthropometric measurements, bone age (BA) determination, serum biochemical analyses, and hormonal measurements were performed. The difference between BA and chronological age (BA-CA, dBACA) was calculated and used to represent the degree of advanced skeletal maturation.
RESULTS
Thirty-one subjects were classified into the obese group and 22 subjects into the overweight group. Insulin resistance as calculated by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was significantly higher in the obese group than in the overweight group (4.03±2.20 vs. 2.86±1.11, P=0.026). The skeletal maturation of the obese group was advanced, but the dBACA did not differ between the obese and overweight groups statistically (1.43±1.35 vs. 0.91±1.15, P=0.141). Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels were significantly higher in subjects with dBACA>1 compared to those with dBACA≤1 (104.3±62.2 vs. 59.6±61.0, P=0.014). Correlation analyses demonstrated that dBACA was positively correlated with body mass index standard deviation scores (r=0.35, P=0.010), fasting insulin (r=0.36, P=0.009), HOMA-IR (r=0.30, P=0.031), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (r=0.331, P=0.028). In multivariate linear regression analysis, HOMA-IR (P=0.026) and serum DHEA-S (P=0.032) were positively correlated with the degree of advanced skeletal maturation.
CONCLUSION
Advanced skeletal maturation is associated with increased insulin resistance and elevated DHEA-S levels in obese children and adolescents.

Keyword

Obesity; Androgens; Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate; Child

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Age Determination by Skeleton
Androgens
Body Mass Index
Child*
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
Fasting
Homeostasis
Humans
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Linear Models
Obesity
Overweight
Androgens
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
Insulin

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels were significantly higher in subjects with the difference between the bone age and chronological age (dBACA)>1 compared to those of subjects with dBACA≤1.

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