Endocrine causes of obesity in childhood and adolescence

Overview

The most common type of childhood obesity is simple obesity which develops as a result of a combination of certain genetic and environmental factors. Secondary obesity is caused by rare genetic forms of obesity, by certain drugs and by the following endocrine diseases: hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, growth hormone deficiency, hypogonadism, pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia, insulinoma, hypothalamic obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome. Early detection of the endocrine cause of obesity leads to a reduction in morbidity and, in some cases, mortality in these children. Doctors must diagnose secondary obesity, distinguish it from simple obesity, and treat it accordingly. When examining causes of obesity, not only personal medical history, but also the family medical history is necessary; clinical examination and the evaluation of the child’s growth curve and BMI (body mass index) are crucial. This text describes pathophysiological mechanisms resulting in endocrinopathy-related obesity, as well as typical clinical and laboratory findings, pathological growth and BMI curves confirming a specific endocrinopathy.

Keywords:

insulinoma – Polycystic ovary syndrome – Hypothyroidism – Cushing’s syndrome – hypogonadism – secondary obesity – growth hormone deficiency – pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia – hypothalamic obesity