Metabolic characteristics of obese children with fatty liver: A STROBE-compliant article

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Hepatology

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common comorbidity in obese children.
• Understanding metabolic differences is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare metabolic profiles of obese children with and without fatty liver disease.
• To identify risk factors associated with fatty liver in obese pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 186 obese children hospitalized between 2014-2016.
• Classification into simple obese and obese with fatty liver groups via ultrasound.
• Collection of epidemiological data and serum biochemical markers.
• Calculation of Body Mass Index (BMI) and Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).

Main Results:

• Obese children with fatty liver exhibited significantly higher proportions of males, older age, waist circumference (WC), BMI, fasting blood-glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting insulin (FINS), and HOMA-IR compared to simple obese children (P < .05).
• Age and BMI were identified as independent risk factors for developing fatty liver disease in this cohort (OR > 1, P < .05).
• Higher uric acid levels were also associated with increased susceptibility to fatty liver.

Conclusions:

• Male sex, older age, and elevated uric acid are significant risk factors for fatty liver disease in obese children.
• Obese children with comorbid fatty liver disease present with more severe metabolic derangements, including insulin resistance.
• These findings underscore the importance of early screening and management of fatty liver disease in pediatric obesity.