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Relation between Liver Transaminases and Dyslipidaemia among 2-10 y.o. Northern Mexican Children
Maria Del Mar Bibiloni1,2, Rogelio Salas3, Georgina M Nuñez3
1Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, E-07122, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Insights
Higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in children correlate with dyslipidaemia. The aspartate aminotransferase/ALT ratio may help screen for overweight/obesity and dyslipidaemia in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Rising rates of childhood overweight and obesity are linked to increased liver damage and dyslipidaemia.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for early detection and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between liver biomarkers and overweight/obesity in Mexican children.
- To explore the associations between liver enzymes and dyslipidaemia in this pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional nutritional survey of 414 children aged 2-10 years in Nuevo León, Mexico.
- Assessment of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT/AST ratio, and serum lipid profiles.
- Statistical analysis to determine associations between liver biomarkers and metabolic health indicators.
Main Results:
- Children with elevated ALT (≥P75) exhibited a higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia, including high total cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol.
- A lower AST/ALT ratio (≥T3) was associated with a decreased likelihood of being overweight/obese and having dyslipidaemia compared to ratios
- Decreased risks for high total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol were observed with higher AST/ALT ratios.
Conclusions:
- The AST/ALT ratio warrants further investigation as a potential screening tool for cardiometabolic risk in children.
- Early identification of metabolic disturbances through liver enzyme assessment could aid in managing pediatric health.
Background And Aims:
The increase in overweight and obese children may be linked to increased rates of liver damage and dyslipidaemia. This study aimed to explore the associations of liver biomarkers with overweight/obesity and dyslipidaemia in Mexican children.
Methods:
The study was a population-based cross-sectional nutritional survey carried out in the State of Nuevo León, Mexico. The study included a 414 subjects aged between 2 and 10 years old (47.8% girls) who took part in the State Survey of Nutrition and Health-Nuevo León 2011/2012. Associations between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT/AST ratio, and major components of serum lipid profile were assessed.
Results:
Children with high ALT (defined as ≥P75) showed higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia than their counterparts, with high prevalence of high TChol (P = 0.053), non-HDL-chol, TG, and low HDL-chol. Children with an AST/ALT ≥T3 ratio were 0.43-times (95% CI: 0.25-0.74) and 0.27-times (95% CI: 0.17-0.44) low likely to be overweight/obese and to have dyslipidaemia than those with an AST/ALT
Conclusions:
Our results pose the need for further investigation on whether AST/ALT may be useful as screening test in the assessment of children with cardiometabolic risk.
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