title: Serum retinol-binding protein 4 is independently associated with pediatric NAFLD and fasting triglyceride level.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is identified as a major liver disease in children. The present study aimed to identify the prevalence and predictors of pediatric NAFLD and the correlation between serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels and metabolic characteristics in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 748 schoolchildren, ages 6 to 12 years, were enrolled in 2009. The body weight and height were measured in the morning before intake. Laboratory tests included overnight fasting serum lipids, insulin, liver enzymes, and RBP4 levels. Hepatic steatosis was determined by ultrasound in 219 volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rates of NAFLD were 3% in the normal-weight, 25% in the overweight, and 76% in the obese children. Twenty (22%) of obese children had abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. In children with NAFLD, younger age and higher body mass index (BMI), insulin/homeostasis model of assessment, and male sex rate were associated with abnormal liver function. Stepwise increments in BMI, insulin, homeostasis model of assessment, and ALT were found in children with normal livers to simple steatosis, and to steatosis with abnormal ALT. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed that serum RBP4 levels (P = 0.048), ALT (P = 0.048), and BMI (P < 0.001) were independently predictors of pediatric NAFLD. Moreover, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only serum triglycerides levels were positively related to RBP4 levels (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher RBP4 and ALT levels as well as BMI are independently associated with pediatric NAFLD in Taiwan. In addition, an increment in RBP4 levels was positively correlated to hypertriglyceridemia in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kuo General Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Ching
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yao-Jong
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; C101326:RBP4 protein, human; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D014280:Triglycerides; D000410:Alanine Transaminase