Adiponectin Levels in Prepubertal Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome before and during Growth Hormone Therapy

Context: Children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) may have obesity and an abnormal body composition with a high body fat percentage, even if they have a normal body weight. Adiponectin has been inversely related to obesity and insulin resistance. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate in prepubertal PWS children the following: 1) adiponectin levels, body composition, carbohydrate metabolism, and triglyceride levels; 2) associations between adiponectin and body composition, carbohydrate metabolism, and triglycerides; and 3) effects of GH treatment on these outcome measures. Patients: Twenty prepubertal PWS children participated in the study. Intervention: The subjects were randomized into a GH treatment group (n = 10, 1 mg/m2·d) and a non-GH-treated control group (n = 10). Main Outcome Measures: At baseline, after 1 and 2 yr of GH treatment, fasting levels of adiponectin, glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were assessed. Body composition and fat distribution were measured by dual energy x-...