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- Title
Higher BMI predicts liver fibrosis among obese children and adolescents with NAFLD - an interventional pilot study.
- Authors
Moran-Lev, Hadar; Cohen, Shlomi; Webb, Muriel; Yerushalmy-Feler, Anat; Amir, Achiya; Gal, Dana L.; Lubetzky, Ronit
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can range from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis with or without fibrosis. The predictors for liver fibrosis and the effect of nutritional intervention on hepatic fibrosis in pediatric population are not well established. We aimed to investigate the predictors for liver fibrosis and the effects of short-term nutritional intervention on steatosis and fibrosis among obese adolescents with NAFLD.<bold>Methods: </bold>Cross-sectional study among obese adolescents. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Liver fibrosis was estimated by Shearwave elastography. All participants were recommended to consume a low carbohydrate diet and were followed biweekly. Blood tests and elastography were performed upon admission and repeated after 3 months.<bold>Results: </bold>Fifty-seven pediatric patients were recruited (35 males, mean age 13.5±2.9 years, mean body mass index [BMI] 38.8±9.7). Liver fibrosis was diagnosed in 34 (60%) subjects, which was moderate/severe (F≥2) in 24 (70%). A higher BMI Z score and moderate/severe steatosis correlated with moderate/severe fibrosis (P < 0.05). Seventeen patients completed 3 months of follow-up and displayed a decrease in BMI Z score (from BMI Z score 2.6±0.5 before intervention to 2.4±0.5 after intervention), with a significant decrease in liver fibrosis (P = 0.001).<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Pediatric patients with high BMIs and severe liver steatosis are at risk for severe liver fibrosis. Nutritional intervention with minimal weight loss may improves hepatic fibrosis among the pediatric population.<bold>Trial Registration: </bold>TRN NCT04561804 (9/17/2020).
- Subjects
OVERWEIGHT children; NON-alcoholic fatty liver disease; TEENAGERS; LOW-carbohydrate diet; FIBROSIS; PILOT projects; CHILDHOOD obesity; FATTY liver; LIVER; CROSS-sectional method; CIRRHOSIS of the liver; BODY mass index; DISEASE complications
- Publication
BMC Pediatrics, 2021, Vol 21, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1471-2431
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1186/s12887-021-02839-1