Faculty Collaboration Database

Predictors of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in obese children. Gastroenterol Nurs 2011;34(6):434-7

Date

12/02/2011

Pubmed ID

22129796

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3977472

DOI

10.1097/SGA.0b013e3182371356

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-82555195627 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   7 Citations

Abstract

As the prevalence of childhood obesity increases, the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) also escalates. This study's purpose was to identify the clinical criteria to aid in determining when a liver biopsy is indicated for this growing population because currently no guidelines exist. We performed a retrospective chart review on all patients who were seen in the Nutrition Exercise and Weight Loss Kids™ Program at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin from July 2003 through December 2004. We analyzed only individuals who underwent liver biopsy with the following criteria: (1) no evidence of other liver disease and (2) aspartate transaminase or alanine aminotransferase greater than 200 IU/L or any elevation of or for more than 6 months. Of the 284 patients reviewed, only eight patients (3%) met the criteria for analysis. Biopsy results demonstrated that 100% had histological evidence of NASH with steatosis, and seven of the eight (87.5%) had NASH with fibrosis, cirrhosis, or both. Obese children with an aspartate transaminase or alanine aminotransferase greater than 200 IU/L or any elevation of aspartate transaminase or alanine aminotransferase for more than 6 months, have a strong likelihood of having NASH with or without fibrosis, cirrhosis, or both.

Author List

Lerret SM, Garcia-Rodriguez L, Skelton J, Biank V, Kilway D, Telega G

Authors

Denise M. Kilway NP Assistant Professor Hybrid in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Stacee Lerret PhD Professor Hybrid in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Grzegorz W. Telega MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Alanine Transaminase
Algorithms
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Biomarkers
Biopsy
Body Mass Index
Child
Child, Preschool
Fatty Liver
Female
Humans
Incidence
Male
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Obesity
Predictive Value of Tests
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Sensitivity and Specificity
Wisconsin
Young Adult