Research Article Details
Article ID: | A26017 |
PMID: | 21196652 |
Source: | Saudi J Gastroenterol |
Title: | Predictors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese and overweight Egyptian children: single center study. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND/AIM: Pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global problem which has been increasingly recognized with the dramatic rise in pediatric obesity. The aim of the present study was to identify the clinical, sonographic, and biochemical predictors for NAFLD in obese children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six children (2-15 years) were included after an informed consent. All were subjected to full anthropometric assessment (including height, weight, body mass index, subscapular skin fold thickness, waist and hip circumference and calculation of waist: hip ratio), biochemical assessment of liver function tests, lipid profile and insulin resistance and sonographic assessment of hepatic echogenicity. Liver biopsy when indicated, was done in 33 patients. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (21%) had elevated ALT and 6 (7.9%) had elevated AST. Significant dyslipidemia (low HDL-c, high total cholesterol, high LDL-c and triglycerides) and higher insulin resistance were found in obese patients (P<0.01). The main sonographic findings were hepatomegaly in 20 patients (26.3%) and echogenic liver in 41 patients (53.9%). Liver biopsy showed simple steatosis in eight cases (24.2%) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in seven cases (21.2%). Anthropometric measurements, increased hepatic echogenicty by ultrasound, insulin resistance and lipid profile were good predictors of NAFLD in obese children if assessed together. However, LDL-c was the only sensitive predictor (independent variable) for NAFLD in both uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSION: Dyslipidemia per se is a strong predictor of NAFLD among obese Egyptian children. |
DOI: | 10.4103/1319-3767.74476 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
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S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name |
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Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
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I13 | 3146 | Lipid metabolism disorder | An inherited metabolic disorder that involves the creation and degradation of lipids. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipid_metabolism | disease of metabolism/ inherited metabolic disorder | Details |
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |