Metabolic syndrome in adults has been a frequently discussed diagnostic unit in the last years. Specialists from various professional societies that are involved in related problems strived to provide a definition. The lack of uniformity of the definition indicates that it can be questioned, as indicated by various renowned articles published recently. The authors review the individual definitions, critically evaluate their inconsisten-cies and draw attention fo obstacles in their use for the child age. In view of the fact that all components of the metabolic syndrome (particularly obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance) are reversible in the childhood, individual diseases at the child age should be considered as individual clinical entities. The authors are of the opinion that paediatricians should stop using the term "metabolic syndrome" and - in view of the recent knowledge - to draw attention to the importance of individual precisely defined risk factors of premature atherosclerosis, their prevention, diagnostics and therapy.

        Key words: metabolic syndrome, occurrence, childhood