Enhanced Myeloid Leukocytes in Obese Children and Adolescents at Risk for Metabolic Impairment

<b>Objective:</b> We aimed to examine if myeloid leukocyte profiles are associated with metabolic impairment in children and adolescents with obesity, and if sex, age, or race influence this relationship. <b>Methods:</b> 282 children ages 8-17 were evaluated. Predictor measures were absolute neutrophil counts (ANC), absolute monocyte count, monocyte subtypes and C reactive protein (CRP). Outcome variables were waist circumference, fasting glucose and insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c (%) and lipid profiles. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine associations between predictor and outcome variables. Wilcoxon two-sample tests were used to evaluate differences by sex. <b>Results:</b> CRP (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), ANC (<i>p</i> < 0.0018), and classical monocytes (<i>p</i> = 0.05) were significantly higher in children with obesity. CRP, ANC and classical monocytes showed positive correlations with waist circumference, insulin, HOMA-IR and triglycerides. CRP was positively associated with ANC overall (<i>p</i> = 0.05). ANC demonstrated positive correlation with monocytes (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The associations between predictor and outcome variables were influenced by sex, race, and age. <b>Conclusions:</b> CRP and myeloid leukocyte populations, specifically classical monocytes and neutrophils associate with both body composition and metabolic parameters in children with obesity suggesting that these cells may play a critical role in metabolic impairment. Race, gender and age interactions between monocytes and metabolic parameters were significant.