Evaluation of Acanthosis Nigricans as a Predictive Clinical Marker for Metabolic Risk in Children with Obesity
https://doi.org/10.15605/jafes.041.S1
- Author:
Annie Leong
1
;
Nurshadia Samingan
1
;
Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin
1
;
Azriyanti Anuar Zaini
1
Author Information
1. Paediatric Department, University Malaya Medical Centre
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Child;
Acanthosis Nigricans;
Biomarkers;
Obesity
- From:
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies
2026;41(S1):135-
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction:Childhood obesity is associated with significant metabolic
morbidity, particularly insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic
syndrome. Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is frequently
observed in children with obesity and may represent a
practical clinical marker of IR. This study evaluated the
association between AN, IR, and metabolic complications
in paediatric obesity.
Methodology:A retrospective review was performed of 148 children
(88 males, 60 females; median age 12 years) attending the
Paediatric Obesity Clinic at Universiti Malaya Medical
Centre. Data included anthropometry, AN grading, family
history, HOMA-IR, and metabolic screening. Outcomes
assessed were dyslipidemia, metabolic-associated fatty liver
disease (MAFLD), hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea
syndrome (OSAS), and glucose dysregulation. Comparisons were made between children with and without AN
at baseline and over follow-up (median 2.4 years).
Results:AN was present in 81.8% of patients, and 82.4% had
central obesity. Increasing AN grade was significantly
associated with higher BMI SDS and American Academy of
Paediatrics obesity class (p <0.05). AN was more prevalent
among Malay and Indian children and was associated with
a family history of obesity (p <0.05). Baseline metabolic
abnormalities were common, including dyslipidemia
(high triglycerides 31.8%, low HDL 30.4%, high LDL
29.7%), MAFLD (23.6%), OSAS (31.1%), and glucose
dysregulation (27.7%), with no significant difference
between groups. During follow-up, children with AN and
more severe obesity developed significantly more metabolic
complications, particularly MAFLD and OSAS, with
increased requirement for non-invasive ventilation (p <0.05).
Higher HOMA-IR was associated with glucose dysregulation but was not independently associated with AN.
Conclusion:AN is strongly associated with greater adiposity and
predicts the progression of metabolic complications in
children with obesity. Routine assessment of AN may help identify high-risk patients who would benefit from early,
intensive intervention to reduce long-term cardiometabolic
morbidity
- Full text:202608051325181972EP_P001.pdf
