Objective: The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing and leads to co-morbidities such as hypertension. However, it is still not clear why some obese individuals are hypertensive and others not. Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered anorexigenic peptide which also has effects on blood pressure (BP). Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between obesity-related hypertension and Nesfatin-1. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 87 obese children. The patients were divided into two groups; hypertensive (n=30) and normotensive (n=57) obese. The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines were used to diagnose hypertension. Blood samples were collected after 12 hours of fasting to investigate Nesfatin-1 concentrations. We also evaluated serum trace elements in addition to the routine blood tests. Results: Body mass index (BMI), weight and serum Nesfatin-1 concentrations were higher in the hypertensive group (p=0.002, p=0.001, and p=0.007, respectively). There was no difference between serum zinc levels, but Copper (Cu) levels were significantly lower in the hypertensive group (p=0.248, p=0.007, respectively). There were positive correlations between BP and BMI and weight Z-scores and a negative correlation with Cu. The optimal cut-off value of Nesfatin-1 to predict hypertension was found to be >1.8 ng/mL, with a specificity of 71.9% and a sensitivity of 96.7% [area under the curve=0.703, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.577-0.809; p=0.002]. In multiple logistic regression analysis Nesfatin-1 [Odds ratio (OR)=1.103, 95% CI: 1.039-1.171; p=0.001], Cu (OR=0.947, 95% CI: 0.915-0.979; p=0.001) and BMI for age Z-score (OR=56.277, 95% CI: 5.791-546.907; p=0.001) still remained significant predictors of hypertension. Conclusion: Nesfatin-1 levels are higher and are an independent predictor of hypertension in obese subjects.(2), and is over 10% in some studies (3). This increased prevalence also poses a more serious problem by increasing the incidence of obesity-related co-morbid conditions. In addition to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and insulin resistance, obese patients are prone to various cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and dyslipidemia. This increased disease burden, starting from childhood, deserves Abstract 29 What is already known on this topic?
What this study adds?Childhood obesity is increasing over the years and leads to morbidities such as hypertension.Obesity causes hypertension but the reason/s why all obese individuals are not hypertensive is controversial. This study aimed to clarify part of this issue by comparing obese peers stratified by blood pressure and found that Nesfatin-1 independently predicts hypertension in obese children.