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Acanthosis nigricans identified youth at high risk for metabolic abnormalities
More than one in four children with acanthosis nigricans had abnormal glucose homeostasis in a new study, and the skin disorder was useful in determining the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors.
Researchers recruited children aged 8 to 14 years from community pediatric offices for the study: 236 had acanthosis nigricans of the neck (60% Hispanic, 54% girls) and 51 did not have acanthosis nigricans (65% Hispanic, 37% girls). Each participant completed a questionnaire, targeted physical examination and oral glucose tolerance test.
Among the children with acanthosis nigricans, 29% had abnormal glucose homeostasis, 27% had systolic blood pressure >95th percentile and 50% had HDL <5th percentile.
The association between acanthosis nigricans and insulin resistance and abnormal glucose homeostasis remained significant when the researchers corrected for sex, puberty, maternal education and BMI z-score.
Moreover, researchers reported a significant and independent association with impaired glucose tolerance and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), female sex and positive glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies.
“Acanthosis nigricans identified a high-risk population for whom appropriate interventions have the potential to attenuate or even prevent the development of diabetes and further metabolic abnormalities,” the researchers concluded.
Brickman WJ. J Pediatr. 2009;156:87-92.