title: [Is the Intrahepatic Sound Speed an Indicator of the Fat Content of the Liver in Children?].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Can the sonographically estimated intrahepatic sound speed give hints on the hepatic fat content in children?
  
  
  METHODS
  In 75 children and adolescents the intrahepatic sound speed was estimated during routine sonography of the liver as a result of an image reconstruction algorithm. It was correlated with weight, age, size, and body mass index (BMI) oft he children, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average hepatic sound speed in children of normal weight was 1 566 m/s (standard deviation (STD) 29 m/s, in overweight or obese children it was 1 501 m/s (STD 22 m/s), and in obese children it was 1 497 ms (STD 24 m/s). The strongest correlation was found between sound speed and BMI of the children, respectively. The difference of sound speed in normal weighing subjects and overweight/obese children was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a good correlation between the estimated intrahepatic sound speed and the fat content of the liver. Further examinations are encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Radiologische Klinik - FE Kinderradiologie, Universität Bonn, Bonn.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Born
authors.affiliation: Radiologische Klinik, Universität Bonn, Bonn.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chakupurakal
authors.affiliation: Pädiatrische Endokrinologie, Universitätskinderklinik, Bonn.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamm
authors.affiliation: Pädiatrische Endokrinologie, Universitätskinderklinik, Bonn.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Woelfle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000465:Algorithms; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult