MON-241 Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide in Managing Obesity in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Disclosure: H. Zimermann Kamitani: None. A.B. Pinheiro: None. M. Chaves do Vale: None. M. Didier Cirilo: None. C. Moraes da Fonte: None. H. Roberto Moreira de Oliveira Carriço: None. A. Cristine Oliveira Rocha: None. H. Cristina Beckert: None. L. Eduardo Rodrigues Sobreira: None. A. Machado Silva: None. BACKGROUND: Childhood and teenage obesity have been impacting more than 100 million individuals in the past decades, thus contributing to increasing the prevalence of chronic diseases. There is controversial data concerning pharmacological interventions, such as liraglutide, a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liraglutide for obesity and glycemic control in children and adolescents. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Primary outcomes included changes in BMI and HbA1c levels, while secondary outcomes focused on adverse events, including gastrointestinal disturbances, hypoglycemia, and changes in blood pressure. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed, and analyses were conducted using RStudio (version 4.4.1). Heterogeneity was evaluated using I² statistics. RESULTS: 4 studies and 378 patients were included, of whom 211 (55%) received liraglutide. Treatment with liraglutide was associated with a substantial reduction in BMI (SMD -0.69; 95% CI [-1.16; -0.23]; P = 0.003; I2 = 61.6%) and weight loss (SMD -0.60; 95% CI [-0.97; -0.24]; P = 0.001; I2 = 42.3%). A statistically significant reduction in HbA1c levels was also shown (SMD -0.40; 95% CI [-0.79; -0.02]; P = 0.040; I2 = 0%), indicating improved glycemic control. An increased incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events was also observed (66.4% vs 38.1%; RR 1.69; 95% CI [1.36; 2.09]; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%), while no significant differences were found for general adverse events (85.7% vs 80.8%; RR 1.04; 95% CI [0.95; 1.13]; P = 0.394) or hypoglycemia (20.6% vs 13.4%; RR 1.51; 95% CI [0.90; 2.55]; P = 0.117). Changes in systolic blood pressure were insignificant (SMD -0.13; 95% CI [-0.34; 0.08]; P = 0.224; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrates that liraglutide significantly improves BMI and glycemic control in children and adolescents, as measured by reductions in HbA1c while being associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal adverse events. These findings highlight liraglutide's therapeutic benefits and tolerability profile, emphasizing the need for individualized patient management to optimize outcomes. Further research with larger sample sizes may clarify its impact on blood pressure and hypoglycemia. Presentation: Monday, July 14, 2025