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BACKGROUND Adiponectin (AD) reduces the risk of hypertension because of its anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, and insulin-sensitizing properties. The study described here was done to evaluate the interrelationships of AD, blood pressure (BP), obesity, body-fat distribution, puberty, and insulin resistance in a selected group of children. METHODS The study was a cross-sectional, observational study of 186 children ranging in age from 5–18 years and grouped according to weight class (obese (OB), n = 100; normal weight (NW), n = 86) and BP category (hypertensive (HT) n = 79; normotensive (NT); n = 107). The children were also classified on the basis of fat distribution (waist circumference/height ratio). Their blood glucose, insulin, and AD concentrations were assayed, and their homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index was calculated as an estimate of insulin resistance. RESULTS Serum AD was lower in OB–HT (7,111±4,163ng/ml) than in NW–NT (12,622±6,276ng/ml) children (P < 0.0001). Intermediate values of AD were found in OB–NT (9,099±3,988ng/ml) and NW–HT (9,808±4,211ng/ml) children. Weight and waist circumference-to-height ratio, BP category, and pubertal stage were all independently and inversely associated with serum levels of AD (P < 0.02). In a logistic regression model, after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference/height ratio, serum levels of AD maintained an independent association with hypertension (P < 0.05), as did also the HOMA index (P < 0.05). A reduction of 10 times (i.e., one unit on the log10 scale) in AD serum levels was associated with a 50% increased probability of having hypertension. CONCLUSIONS In childhood, serum levels of AD are inversely related to hypertension. This relationship is partly independent of obesity, fat distribution, and insulin resistance. Low values of AD in both OB and NW children are associated with a higher probability of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BackgroundTo assess the prevalence of hypertension (H), prehypertension (PH), and transient elevated blood pressure (TH) and their relationship with weight class and waist circumference (WC) in an unselected population of Northern Italian children.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 5,131 children (5–11 years). Weight class was defined according to the International Obesity Task Force references, H and PH according to the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. A child was classified as having PH or H when systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at first screening were ≥90th percentile and the mean of three subsequent measures was between the 90th and 95th or ≥95th percentile, respectively. When BP values at the first screening were ≥90th percentile but the mean of three subsequent measures was <90th percentile the child was classified as having TH.ResultsA proportion of 3.4% presented H, 2.7% PH, and 10.4% TH, 20% overweight, and 6% obesity. Weight class and WC were significantly associated to an increased risk of falling into any of the hypertensive categories. In children with TH BP z-scores of the mean of the three subsequent measurements following the first screening were significantly higher than BP z-scores observed in normotensive children (P value <0.001).ConclusionsWeight class and WC are associated with BP. This is observed not only for H but also for PH, and for nonsustained forms of H. Prospective studies are needed to assess whether children with PH and TH will develop sustained H.American Journal of Hypertension 2010; doi:10.1038/ajh.2010.50 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the authors of the article "Adiponectin and hypertension in normal-eight and obese children" that was published in the 2013 issue is presented.