Abstract

MEDINA VERA, Isabel et al. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in children as a potential indicator of technical ability in medical and nutritional care. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2015, vol.32, n.5, pp.2105-2110. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.3305/nh.2015.32.5.9703.

Background: currently, there is an increase in the incidence of obesity in the pediatric population, which is associated with an increase in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Thus, an early diagnosis of MetS is needed in this population to improve the prevention of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Objective: the aim of this study was to explore the ability of health professionals to identify the main criteria for MetS in children, which is required for establishing the conditions for early diagnosis and timely treatment. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey and conducted in two states of the republic (Aguascalientes and Hidalgo) and in the Federal District from January to December 2014. Results: the questionnaire was applied to 274 health professionals. Most of these professionals (61.7%) reported knowledge of the criteria for MetS diagnosis in children and adolescents. Additionally, it was observed that 63.1% of professionals did not perform the needed measurements the waist of circumference in preschool children and that 46.4% did not measure them in school children. However, 64.6% of professionals performed the measurements in adolescents. Conclusions: this study found that health professionals providing care to pediatric patients do not know the parameters and cutoff points for MetS diagnosis. They do not conduct a deliberate search for MetS risk factors, which is a major limitation for diagnosis and early treatment. Therefore, we suggest a systematic approach for maintaining the standards of health professionals and to make determining the criteria for proper diagnosis of MetS a target of clinical practice.

Keywords : Metabolic syndrome; Children; Pediatrics; Diagnosis; Health professionals.

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