The metabolic syndrome in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Isfahan, Iran

Background: to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in survivors of childhood leukemia in isfahan, iran.methods: during a 4-year period (2003 to 2007), 55 children (33 male and 22 female) diagnosed with all at unit ofhematology/ oncology, department of pediatrics, isfahan university of medical science, were enrolled in this crosssectionalstudy. metabolic syndrome was defined using the modified version of adult treatment panel (atp iii) criteria.insulin resistance was defined based on the homeostasis model assessment index (homa-ir).results: the mean age of participates was 10.4 years (range 6-19 years) and the mean interval since completion ofchemotherapy was 35 months. twenty percent (11/55) of survivors (10 male, 1 female) met criteria for diagnosis ofmetabolic syndrome. obesity was observed in one forth of patients and nearly 3/4 of obese patients had metabolic syndrome.high serum insulin levels were found in 16% of participants and in 63% of obese survivors. the mean insulinlevels in survivors with metabolic syndrome was three-times more than those without (28.3 mu/l vs. 9.57 mu/l, p =0.004). insulin resistance was detected in 72.7% of survivors with metabolic syndrome and it was positively correlatedwith serum triglycerides (0.543, p < 0.001), systolic and diastolic bp (0.348, p = 0.01 and 0.368, p = 006 respectively),insulin levels (0.914, p < 0.001) and blood sugar (0.398, p = 003).conclusions: the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in survivors of childhood leukemia in iran is higher than developedcountries. nearly all of the obese patients had metabolic syndrome. weight control and regular physical exerciseare recommended to the survivors.