Prevalence of elevated liver enzymes and comorbidities in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. (28th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hartman, Corina; Rennert, Hedy S; Rennert, Gad; Elenberg, Yigal; Zuckerman, Eli
• Is Part Of: Acta pædiatrica. Volume 110:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 985
• Page End: 992
• Publication Date: 2020-07-28
• Subjects: alanine aminotransferase -- children -- comorbidities -- non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease -- obesity; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.15469
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-5253

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: We investigated the prevalence of elevated liver aminotransferases (ALT) and additional comorbidities in a large cohort of Israeli children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Methods: This study included data from medical records of 2‐ to 18‐year‐old children and adolescents, with body mass index (BMI) in the overweight or obesity range (WHO definitions), for whom ALT testing was performed. Results: Overweight was present in 50 418 (10.7%) and obesity in 70 515 (15.0%). Elevated ALT, above 30 IU/L (0.51 μkat/L), was reported in 2245 (7.2%) of children with overweight and 5475 (16.8%) of children with obesity ( P < .0001). Compared to children with overweight and obesity and ALT within normal range, children with elevated ALT were older (11.9 ± 4.2 vs 10.9 ± 4.2, P < .001), mostly male (68.0% vs 49.4%, P < .001) and had higher BMI (27.3 ± 6.1vs 24.0 ± 4.8, P < .001). They also had a more unfavourable cardiometabolic profile with significantly higher either systolic or diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglycerides, and had more than three criteria defining metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: In this large cohort, abnormally elevated ALT was present in a high number of individuals with overweight or obesity. The children and adolescents with abnormal ALT had higher BMI, were older, male and had more cardiometabolic risk factors.