Aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index and body mass index in children with fatty liver
Background Obesity in children is becoming a global epidemic. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent and potentially serious complication of childhood obesity. The early identification of fibrosis is important in children v.ith NAFLD in order to prevent the development of li...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Indonesian Pediatric Society Publishing House
2012-06-01
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Series: | Paediatrica Indonesiana |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/388 |
Summary: | Background Obesity in children is becoming a global epidemic.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent
and potentially serious complication of childhood obesity. The
early identification of fibrosis is important in children v.ith NAFLD
in order to prevent the development of liver disease in adulthood.
One noninvasive procedure to predict liver fibrosis is the aspartate
aminotransferase (AST)platelet ratio index (APRI).
Objective The purpose of our study was to assess a correlation
between APRI and body mass index (BMI) in obese children
with fatty liver.
Methods A crosssectional study was conducted from August to
September 2007. Subjects were obese children from one junior
high school in Semarang. Complete blood count, transaminase
enzyme measurement, and abdominal ultrasound (USG) were
performed on each subject. Only subjects with bright liver on
USG underwent APRI analysis. Spearman's correlation was used
for statistical analysis.
Results Of 3 7 obese children, 19 children had bright liver on USG.
Their mean APRI was 0.16 (SD 0.119). Only one obese subject
(1137) with bright liver had an APRI > 0.5. APRI was significantly
correlated to alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels (r = 0.62),
but not significantly correlated to weight and BMI.
Conclusion There was no correlation between APRI and BMI.
Only lout of 37 obese children with fatty liver had APRI levels
indicating the presence of liver fibrosis. [Paediatr Indones.
2012;52:181-4]. |
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ISSN: | 0030-9311 2338-476X |