Relationship between serum γ-glutamyltransferase level and leukocyte count in Korean children and adolescents

Elevated γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is an important risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases, which may result from chronic low-grade inflammation. Leukocyte count is widely considered a marker of inflammation and is also an independent predictor of cardiometabolic diseases. This study aimed to determine the relationship between GGT and leukocyte count in a representative sample of Korean children and adolescents.

A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between GGT and leukocyte count in 830 boys and 714 girls (aged 10-18 years), using data from the 2010-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for high leukocyte count (≥ 75th percentile) were calculated across GGT quartiles using multiple logistic regression analyses.

Leukocyte count gradually increased in accordance with serum GGT quartiles in both boys and girls (all p-values < 0.001). The OR (95% CI) for high leukocyte of the highest GGT quartile was 2.19 (1.05-4.58) for boys and 2.36 (1.13-4.93) for girls after adjusting for age, BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, physical activity, household income, and residential area. Similarly, these positive associations were observed in multiple logistic regression analysis using log2-transformed serum GGT as a continuous variable.

The present study demonstrates a positive relationship between serum GGT and leukocyte count. These findings indicate that serum GGT may be closely related with subclinical low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents.