title: Triglycerides and alanine aminotransferase as screening markers for suspected fatty liver disease in obese children and adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolic syndrome (MS) and fatty liver disease (FLD) are on the rise. The association between these conditions in Brazilian youth is analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  354 subjects (11.2+/-3.1 years) were evaluated. FLD was suspected by ultrasound and computed tomography; weight and MS by BMI z-score and NCEP-ATPIII respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects were classified as: group 1 with suspected FLD and group 2 without and group 2 as 'a' (overweight/obese) and 'b' (normal weight). Comparing group 1 with 2a and 2b, differences in age (p=0.016; p=0.075), triglycerides (TG) (p=0.021; p=0.002), insulin (p=0.652; p=0.015) and homeostasis model assessment method of IR (HOMA-IR) (p=0.737; p=0.003) were found. Group 2a was divided into low/high alanine aminotransferase (ALT). A decrease in waist circumference and TG was found going from those with suspicion of FLD to obese with high and low ALT. Insulin and HOMA-IR in group 1 and high ALT were similar. Gender (OR 6.6; CI 1.9-22.5; p=0.025), age (OR 1.3; CI 1.1-1.6; p=0.006), TG (OR 10.4; CI 3.1-34.4; p=0.005) were associated with suspected FLD. For every 10 U/l increase in ALT, there was a 4-fold greater chance of probable FLD (OR 4.01; CI 2.06-9.40; p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurements of ALT and TG should be considered as screening for suspected FLD in overweight/obese youth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Bahia School of Medicine, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. anamayra@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Jussara C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Marcos V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Agnaluce M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Adan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014280:Triglycerides; D000410:Alanine Transaminase