Lipid parameters in childhood cirrhosis and chronic liver disease.
BACKGROUND
Alterations in lipid metabolism are well defined in liver disease. As there has not been an ample amount of work published regarding this topic in children, especially about apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) and apolipoprotein B (apo B), theoretical knowledge depends on adult studies. In this study, we investigated serum lipid parameters of children with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.


METHODS
Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), plasma apo A-I and apo B levels of 82 children with chronic liver disease, 41 of whom had cirrhosis as well, were investigated. Twenty healthy children were selected as controls.


RESULTS
While mean serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were not different in chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and healthy children, mean apo B level of cirrhotic group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Mean LDL and HDL values of children with chronic hepatitis were lower and mean apo B value was higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Apolipoprotein A-I level was lower in cholestatic cirrhotic children than non-cholestatic children (P < 0.05). No statistical difference was detected in lipid parameters of children with or without malnutrition (P > 0.05). The mean HDL value of Child-Pugh B group was significantly lower when compared to Child-Pugh A group (P < 0.05). The mean apo A-I value of Child-Pugh A group was higher than those of Child-Pugh B and C groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Consequently, we found that among lipid parameters apo A-I was the most affected parameter in liver injury. Whether apo A-I level can be used as a prognostic criterion in childhood cirrhosis may require further study.
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, School of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. ayseselimoglu@hotmail.com
Mukadder Ayşe
MA
Selimoglu
Sema
S
Aydogdu
Rasit Vural
RV
Yagci
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008055:Lipids; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol