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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
A 3D Quantification Technique for Liver Fat Fraction Distribution Analysis Using Dixon Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: October 20, 2023
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging
Giorgio Radetti1, Wolfgang Kleon, Joseph Stuefer
1Department of Paediatrics, Regional Hospital of Bolzano, Italy. giorgio.radetti@asbz.it
Insights
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in obese children, affecting 31.8%. Liver enzyme elevations correlate with fatty liver, but clinical factors do not predict NAFLD in this group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Hepatology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing concern in pediatric populations.
- Obesity is a primary risk factor for NAFLD development and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of NAFLD in obese children.
- To explore correlations between hepatic steatosis severity, anthropometric data, and insulin resistance parameters.
Main Methods:
- Study included 44 obese children (BMI > 97th percentile, aged 6-16).
- Hepatic fat content assessed via phase contrast MRI.
- Evaluated demographic data, blood tests (glucose, insulin, lipids), and insulin sensitivity (QUICKI).
Main Results:
- NAFLD identified in 31.8% of subjects.
- Children with NAFLD had higher ALT, AST, and triglyceride levels.
- Liver fat infiltration correlated with ALT, AST, gammaGT, height, and BMI, but not body fat mass or distribution.
Conclusions:
- Obese children frequently have NAFLD.
- Clinical and anthropometric findings do not reliably predict NAFLD in this cohort.
- A strong correlation exists between the degree of liver fat and elevated liver enzymes.
Aim:
To investigate the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a group of obese children (BMI > 97th %) and to establish correlations between the severity of hepatic fatty infiltration, auxological findings and parameters of insulin resistance.
Methods:
44 obese children, aged 6-16 years, with a BMI above the 97th centile were selected for analysis. Hepatic fat content was assessed by phase contrast MRI. Demographic data included weight, height, body mass index, body fat mass and waist circumference. Blood tests included fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and lipid profile. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated with QUICKI.
Results:
Elevated hepatic fat fraction (FF) was identified in 14 subjects (31.8%; 0.07 SEM). Children with fatty liver (FF > 9%) had higher ALT (P<0.0001), AST (P=0.002) and triglycerides (P=0.008) values compared to the children without NAFLD. All the children showed a decreased insulin sensitivity (P<0.0001), but no difference was found between children with or without NAFLD. The degree of liver fatty infiltration was positively correlated with ALT (P<0.0001), AST (P<0.002) and gammaGT (P<0.0001), with height (P<0.006) and BMI (P<0.05) but not with estimates of body fat mass or fat distribution.
Conclusion:
Obese children are frequently affected by NAFLD, which cannot be predicted by clinical and/or anthropometrical findings. There is however a strict correlation between the degree of liver fatty infiltration and elevation of liver enzymes.
