TY - JOUR
T1 - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular risk in children with obesity
AU - Koot, B.G.
AU - ten Groot, E.
AU - van der Baan-Slootweg, O.H.
AU - Bohte, A.E.
AU - Nederveen, A.J.
AU - Jansen, Peter L.M.
AU - Stoker, J.
AU - Benninga, M.A.
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults. It has not been established whether NAFLD is related to early atherosclerotic changes in children. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 78 non diabetic, non smoking children with severe obesity were evaluated for NAFLD. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to detect liver steatosis and serum ALT was used as a surrogate marker for steatohepatitis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and arterial wall stiffness were measured using ultrasound. RESULTS: Steatosis was present in 41 (53%) of subjects. Of these children, 26 out of 41 (63%) had elevated ALT levels. No differences in CIMT and arterial wall stiffness were observed between those without and with steatosis and those with steatosis plus elevated ALT levels [CIMT = 0.47 (+/-0.06), 0.48 (+/-0.06) and 0.48 (+/-0.07) mm, respectively; stiffness = 2.78 (+/-0.50), 3.00 (+/-0.81), and 2.90 (+/-0.78), respectively]. Steatosis and ALT were not correlated to CIMT (r = -0.02 and -0.14, respectively) or arterial wall stiffness (r = 0.13 and -0.11, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no relationship between NAFLD and early atherosclerotic changes in children was observed. An atherogenic effect of steatohepatitis (NASH) on pediatric age and long-term atherogenic consequences of simple steatosis cannot be excluded based on this study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults. It has not been established whether NAFLD is related to early atherosclerotic changes in children. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 78 non diabetic, non smoking children with severe obesity were evaluated for NAFLD. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to detect liver steatosis and serum ALT was used as a surrogate marker for steatohepatitis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and arterial wall stiffness were measured using ultrasound. RESULTS: Steatosis was present in 41 (53%) of subjects. Of these children, 26 out of 41 (63%) had elevated ALT levels. No differences in CIMT and arterial wall stiffness were observed between those without and with steatosis and those with steatosis plus elevated ALT levels [CIMT = 0.47 (+/-0.06), 0.48 (+/-0.06) and 0.48 (+/-0.07) mm, respectively; stiffness = 2.78 (+/-0.50), 3.00 (+/-0.81), and 2.90 (+/-0.78), respectively]. Steatosis and ALT were not correlated to CIMT (r = -0.02 and -0.14, respectively) or arterial wall stiffness (r = 0.13 and -0.11, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no relationship between NAFLD and early atherosclerotic changes in children was observed. An atherogenic effect of steatohepatitis (NASH) on pediatric age and long-term atherogenic consequences of simple steatosis cannot be excluded based on this study.
U2 - 10.1002/oby.21076
DO - 10.1002/oby.21076
M3 - Article
C2 - 25960049
SN - 1930-7381
VL - 23
SP - 1239
EP - 1243
JO - Obesity
JF - Obesity
IS - 6
ER -