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Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis
Published on: March 11, 2017
[Detecting non-alcoholic fatty liver in children with owerweight and obesity.]
Nallely A García-López1, Alicia Jiménez-Álvarez2, Efrén Murillo-Zamora3
11Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Centro Médico Nacional Sigo XXI, Hospital de Oncología, Programa de Especialidad Médica en Cuidados Paliativos. Ciudad de México, México.
Insights
One in ten overweight or obese children shows signs of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A high waist-to-hip ratio is linked to increased odds of NAFLD in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presents significant health challenges, with rising global prevalence linked to the obesity epidemic.
- NAFLD in children is a growing concern, necessitating effective screening and early intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen overweight and obese children for fatty liver disease.
- To identify factors associated with a higher likelihood of positive screening results for NAFLD in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 102 children from a secondary care setting.
- Assessment included serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and hepatic ultrasounds.
- Multivariate logistic regression analyzed factors associated with NAFLD (defined by ultrasound and specific ALT thresholds).
Main Results:
- The prevalence of NAFLD among the studied children was 10.8%.
- A waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) of 1 or higher was significantly associated with increased odds of screening positive for NAFLD (OR = 4.96).
Conclusions:
- Approximately 10.8% of overweight or obese children exhibit indicators of NAFLD.
- These findings highlight the substantial risk of NAFLD and its health consequences in this pediatric demographic, emphasizing the importance of screening.
Background:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has serious health implications and upward trends of the disease, accompanied by the obesity epidemic worldwide.
Objective:
To screen for fatty liver in overweight and obese children and evaluate the factors associated with an increased likelihood of presenting a positive-screen result.
Material And Methods:
In a cross-sectional study, 102 children were recruited at a secondary care medical unit. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were quantified and hepatic ultrasounds were performed; multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with the increased odds of presenting with NAFLD (fatty infiltration on ultrasound and ALT > 52 U/L for boys and > 44 U/L for girls).
Results:
The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 10.8%. In multivariate analysis, a waist-to-hip ratio ≥ 1 was associated with increased odds of screening positive for NAFLD (odds ratio (OR) = 4.96, 95% CI 1.17-20.90).
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate that one out of ten children with overweight or obesity has data suggestive of NAFLD and is at risk of presenting its consequences on health.
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