The role of pharmacotherapy in the prevention and treatment of paediatric metabolic syndrome - Implications for long-term health: Part of a series on Pediatric Pharmacology, guest edited by Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Emilio Clementi, and Massimo Molteni

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a clustering of risk factors predisposing to the future development of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Its clinical relevance, above and beyond recognition and treatment of each of the component parts, is still hotly debated - especially within paediatric medicine. Prevention and treatment strategies for adult MetS focus on weight management, as obesity and insulin resistance are known to be at the central axis of the definition, alongside pharmacotherapy of integrally linked conditions such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia. In children and adolescents, however, opportunities for pharmacotherapy are currently limited an..