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Factors related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children

Tuba F Eminoğlu1, Orhun M Camurdan, Suna O Oktar

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. tubaeminoglu@yahoo.com

The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology : the Official Journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology
|December 27, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Obesity in children is linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Body mass index and VLDL are key factors in pediatric fatty liver and elevated ALT levels, not leptin.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Hepatology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) incidence is rising in children, paralleling obesity trends.
  • NAFLD in pediatric populations requires understanding of associated risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate factors associated with NAFLD in obese children.
  • To analyze the relationship between body mass index, lipids, leptin, insulin resistance, and liver steatosis.

Main Methods:

  • Ultrasound was used to assess liver steatosis in 101 obese children and 68 non-obese controls.
  • Participants were categorized into obese with fatty liver, obese without steatosis, and non-obese groups.
  • Serum ALT, lipids (VLDL), leptin, and insulin resistance index were analyzed in relation to steatosis and body mass index.

Main Results:

  • Over half of obese children (52.4%) had fatty liver; 13.8% had elevated ALT.
  • Elevated ALT levels correlated with ultrasonographically confirmed liver steatosis.
  • Body mass index was the primary determinant of liver steatosis; body mass index and VLDL determined elevated ALT levels.

Conclusions:

  • Body mass index and VLDL are significant determinants of NAFLD and elevated ALT in obese children.
  • Leptin's contribution to pediatric NAFLD could not be established in this study.
  • Further research may clarify the role of other metabolic factors in pediatric NAFLD.
Abstract

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