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Updated: Jun 27, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Associations of Ultrasound Findings with Serum Iron and Ferritin Levels in Children with Obesity
Mioara Desdemona Stepan1, Ștefănița Bianca Vintilescu1, Claudiu Marinel Ionele2
1Department of Infant Care-Pediatrics-Neonatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.
Insights
This study found that low iron and high ferritin levels in obese children are linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and fibrosis. Ultrasonography aids in assessing these liver changes and iron status non-invasively.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hepatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation and detrimental effects on child development.
- Iron metabolism and ferritin levels are crucial in chronic inflammation and pediatric health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between iron status, ferritin levels, and liver changes in obese children.
- To evaluate the utility of ultrasonography in assessing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and fibrosis in this population.
- To explore non-invasive methods for comprehensive assessment of obese children's iron metabolism and liver health.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 98 children aged 6-14 years (72 obese, 26 normal weight).
- Assessment of iron and ferritin levels.
- Ultrasonographic evaluation for NAFLD.
- Elastographic assessment of liver fibrosis.
Main Results:
- An association was found between low iron and elevated ferritin levels.
- Ultrasonography revealed links between these iron markers and NAFLD.
- Elastography indicated a correlation with the degree of liver fibrosis.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonography is valuable for identifying liver damage in obese children.
- Combining ultrasonography with iron and ferritin level assessments provides a more comprehensive evaluation.
- Non-invasive, low-cost methods are effective for assessing iron metabolism and liver changes in obese children.
Abstract:
The nutritional status of children is always a concern for medical professionals. Increasingly, obesogenic factors have created a new global epidemic. Obesity is characterized by persistent inflammation, which can have detrimental effects on the growth and development of children. Iron and ferritin are both important factors to consider when evaluating these children due to their role in the pathophysiology of chronic inflammation. Recently, ultrasonographic evaluation seems to be an increasingly used method in pediatric clinical practice. In this study, we included 98 children aged 6-14 years, 72 of whom were obese and 26 had normal weight. The data obtained indicated that there was an association between low iron and increased ferritin levels, aspects of non-alcoholic fatty liver visualized by ultrasonography, and the degree of fibrosis assessed elastographically. Ultrasonography can help us identify liver damage, but the possibility of identifying an association with other paraclinical investigations such as iron and ferritin levels can be cumulative. In this way, the assessment can be more complex, as the child benefits from comprehensive evaluation and management. The results drew attention to non-invasive, easy-to-perform, and low-cost methods of assessing obese children in terms of iron metabolism and structural liver changes.
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