The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics 2005 , Vol 47 , Num 1
Fatty liver in obese children: prevalence and correlation with anthropometric measurements and hyperlipidemia
1Departments of Pediatrics, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
2Departments of Radiology Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
Arslan N, Büyükgebiz B, Öztürk Y. Fatty liver in obese children: prevalence and correlation with anthropometric measurements and hyperlipidemia. Turk J Pediatr 2005; 47: 23-27.

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. Keywords : fatty liver, child, obesity, aminotransferase, lipids.

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