Peptide YY in children: a review.

BACKGROUND

Peptide YY has been found to reduce food intake via the vagal-brainstem-hypothalamic pathway. There is some indication that PYY levels may differ in early childhood in comparison with adult studies. Studies of PYY in children have yet to be synthesized.

METHODS

This review synthesized 21 articles including studies with infants/newborns, primary school age children and populations with special health needs.

RESULTS

Some important differences emerge between studies of PYY in children in comparison to those with adults. In those studies with infants and newborns, there is a high level of PYY in preterm and full-term neonates in comparison with school age children and adults. As children get older the relationship between PYY levels and body composition and obesity is more similar to that of adults. Fasting PYY levels may be lower in obese children in comparison with adults and weight loss may restore a higher postprandial level of PYY in contrast with adults whose levels remain low.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional studies are needed to better understand the role of higher PYY in infancy and to assess the effectiveness of different diets on children throughout time-points in growth and development as well as those with different racial/ethnic background.