Correlation of Hyperghrelinemia With Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Children With Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by childhood-onset obesity and endocrine dysfunction that leads to cardiovascular disability and early death within the first 3 decades of life.To assess the significance of risk factors for future disabilities, carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured and correlated with known atherosclerotic risk factors in 27 children with PWS and 24 age-, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-adjusted controls.

Main outcome measures: Correlation of IMT with age, standard deviation score of BMI (BMI-SDS), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), C-reactive protein, HOMA-IR and ghrelin.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Prader Willi syndrome
• Children with obesity

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute illness
• On regular medications except growth hormone