Nutritional status of children with chronic hepatitis B in a population with low socioeconomic status.
OBJECTIVE
Chronic infections and liver diseases may lead to malnutrition. However, growth failure is rarely reported in chronic hepatitis B. We aimed to establish the nutritional status of children with chronic hepatitis B and the relation between anthropometric data and laboratory findings in a population with low socioeconomic status.


METHODS
Anthropometrical and laboratory findings were noted from the hospital records. Cases with and without malnutrition were compared with regard to sex, age, histological activity (HAI) scores, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, protein, albumin, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels.


RESULTS
Eighty children, of which 36 (45%) were girls, with a mean age of 11.5+/-3.2 years were enrolled in the study. Malnutrition was found in 39 (49%). Acute malnutrition (24 out of 39, 61.5%) was the most common form. There was no difference of age or sex between children with and without malnutrition. Age of diagnosis was higher and duration of follow-up was shorter in cases with malnutrition (P = 0.051 and P = 0.016, respectively). In children with malnutrition, aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly higher but other laboratory results were not different. Malnutrition rate was not different between groups that did and did not receive treatment or that did and did not respond to treatment. Anthropometrical data and malnutrition rate was similar in children with high and low HAI scores.


CONCLUSIONS
As features suggesting severe liver disease like high alanine aminotransferase values, HAI scores, or HBV DNA levels were not different in children with and without malnutrition, it may be proposed that chronic HBV infection does not have an effect on nutritional status.
Bekem Soylu
Ozlem
O
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Dr Behcet Uz Children Disease and Pediatric Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Alsancak, Izmir, Turkey. obekem@yahoo.com
Targan
Seref
S
Diniz
Gulden
G
Ortac
Ragp
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012923:Social Class
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase