Fatty liver in obese children: prevalence and correlation with anthropometric measurements and hyperlipidemia.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of ultrasonography-proven fatty liver with liver functions, serum lipid levels and anthropometric measurements in children with exogenous obesity. Three hundred and twenty-two patients (183 girls, 56.8%) with a mean age of 11.4+/-3.2 years (4-18 years) who presented with the complaint of obesity were enrolled. In 38 (11.8%) patients, increased liver echogenicity resembling fatty liver was found (Group 1). The body mass index percentages of group 1 patients were significantly higher than of those without fatty liver (Group 2) (157.7+/-18.0 vs 151.3+/-17.8, p=0.038). Alanine and aspartate aminotransferase levels of group 1 patients were significantly higher than of group 2 (p=0.002 vs p=0.028, respectively). Triglyceride levels were significantly higher in group 1 patients (120.8+/-88.8 vs 100.5+/-58.5 mg/dl, p=0.044). In conclusion, ultrasonography is an easy and noninvasive method for the diagnosis of fatty liver in children with obesity. Body mass index and serum lipids were higher in group 1 patients. The diagnosis and early treatment of obesity in childhood is important for the prevention and better treatment of related complications. Thus, ultrasonography should be a part of the early evaluation of obese children.
Arslan
Nur
N
Department of Pediatrics, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
Büyükgebiz
Benal
B
Oztürk
Yeşim
Y
Cakmakçi
Handan
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000409:Alanine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000886:Anthropometry; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D043384:Glutamyl Aminopeptidase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D043384:Glutamyl Aminopeptidase; D000409:Alanine