Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in pre-pubertal children with psoriasis

Psoriasis in adults is associated with an increased risk of metabolic disease. Various cardiometabolic comorbidities have been reported in childhood psoriasis, but only a few studies have analyzed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. We performed a single-center prospective study investigating the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in children with psoriasis. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was evaluated in 60 pre-pubertal children with psoriasis (age: 3–10 years), accordingly to recently established criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in children. Insulin resistance was considered altered when the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) for insulin resistance was ≥ 90th sex- and age-specific percentile and HOMA 2-IR was > 1.8. Eighteen (30%) children with psoriasis were found to have metabolic syndrome. Sixteen (27%) children were found to have insulin resistance. Conclusion: Our data underline the importance of assessing metabolic syndrome not only in adults and adolescents but also in young children with psoriasis.What is Known:• Psoriasis in adults is strongly associated with metabolic disease and insulin resistance.• Very limited data are available on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in pre-pubertal children with psoriasis.What is New:• This study reports that in pre-pubertal children with psoriasis, there is a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.• In children with psoriasis metabolic syndrome risk factors should be assessed.