Is There Any Risk for Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents with Psychiatric Disorders?

Objective: We aimed to investigate the risk of antipsychotic drug treatment in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and adolescents and to determine which psychiatric disorder is more associated with MetS in the pediatric population. Methods: The sample consisted of 118 children and adolescents (88 used psychotropic medication). The hemogram, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, weight, and blood pressure levels of all the participants and information regarding medication doses of the patient group at the sixth month of the treatment process were obtained. Results: Bipolar disorder (BPD) was the only psychiatric disorder associated with MetS. Quetiapine and valproic acid were found to have increasing effects on MetS. Weight gain and the increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly increased the likelihood of MetS. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses revealed that quetiapine increased the risk of MetS through weight gain, and valproic acid increased MetS risk through systolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Especially BPD and psychotropic use in children and adolescents disrupt metabolic regulation and pose a risk for MetS. Determining the risk factors causing MetS, especially in children and adolescents, plays a significant role in preventing mortality and morbidity at advanced ages.