Changes in polyunsaturated fatty acids are linked to metabolic syndrome in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome-a clinical observation.

OBJECTIVE

Alterations in lipid metabolic pathways constitute a pivotal characteristic of Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome (SSNS). Despite the significance, there has been scant exploration into the influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children with SSNS. This study endeavors to elucidate the association between PUFAs and MetS in this specific pediatric population.

METHODS

This study enrolled a total of 185 children aged 0-7 years with SSNS between May 2023 and May 2024. Based on international guidelines for MetS, patients were classified into a MetS group (n = 73) and a non-MetS group (n = 112). A healthy control group (n = 82) was also established. Surveys, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples were used to assess lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, and Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). The concentrations of serum PUFAs were quantitatively analyzed utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques.

RESULTS

The MetS group exhibited significantly elevated levels of fasting blood glucose, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, HbA1C, insulin, the ratio of TG to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol compared to the non-MetS group. Significant differences were observed among healthy controls, MetS group, and non-MetS group in terms of ω-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), ω-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), ω-6 arachidonic acid, and ω-6 to ω-3 ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

High ω-6 arachidonic acid, ω-6/ω-3 ratio and low ω-3 ALA and ω-3 DHA were associated with elevated TG levels. An elevation in TG concentrations among pediatric patients with SSNS may have been implicated to MetS.