Aminotransferase Ratio Is a Useful Index for Hepatosteatosis in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and childhood obesity are emerging global health issues. The aim of this study was to identify a simple predictor of NAFLD in children and adolescents. This community-based study was conducted from December 2012 to September 2013 in Taiwan and included 1,222 children between 10 and 19 years of age. After excluding alcohol consumption and hepatic-related lesions, NAFLD was diagnosed according to sonographic criteria. Potential confounding factors (including age, gender, and anthropometric and laboratory data) were tested by logistic regression analysis. The cutoff value was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. In addition to older age, heavier weight, and wider waist, subjects with NAFLD had significantly higher blood pressure, lipid disturbances, and alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) ratios. The correlation between NAFLD and ALT/AST ratio remained significant even after adjusting for confounders (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–3.87; p = .007). The risk score of having a fatty liver, based on ALT/AST ratio, was greater than 0.981 according to ROC curve analysis (sensitivity, 60.5%; specificity, 80.3%; area under the curve, 0.756; CI, 0.71–0.80; p < .001). Therefore, ALT/AST ratio may represent a powerful index of hepatosteatosis in children and adolescents.

Association between the alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase ratio and new-onset non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a nonobese Chinese population: a population-based longitudinal study

“…Similar results have been reported once in China [22]. In a recent study, Lu et al also found a correlation of the ALT/ AST ratio with NAFLD risk in 1222 adolescents and children [25], which was similar to the results of age stratification in this research. Although these studies emphasize the correlation of the ALT/AST ratio with NAFLD risk, they were all cross-sectional in design, and the sample sizes were relatively small (1222, 1354, 6926 and 10,724).…”

“…Presently, there are limited studies that have reported on the association of the ALT/AST ratio with NAFLD risk. Only a few cross-sectional studies have found a positive correlation of NAFLD risk with the ALT/AST ratio [22][23][24][25]. Nevertheless, the association of the ALT/AST ratio with NAFLD in nonobese individuals remains inconclusive.…”

Comparison Of noninvasiv Indexes in the Determination of NAFLD in Obese Adolescents And A Recommendation For A Diagnostic Chart

“…Lu CW, et al, (24), have conducted a study investigating the Aminotransferase index in children and adolescents diagnosed with NAFLD(+) by USG. The study has found that participants with a higher index had a 2.19 times higher risk of developing NAFLD (95% CI: 1.24-3.87; p = 0.007) (24).…”

“…Lu CW, et al, (24), have conducted a study investigating the Aminotransferase index in children and adolescents diagnosed with NAFLD(+) by USG. The study has found that participants with a higher index had a 2.19 times higher risk of developing NAFLD (95% CI: 1.24-3.87; p = 0.007) (24). In our study, we examined obese adolescents, who had been diagnosed with NAFLD by MRI, and found that the Aminotransferase index was signi cantly higher in the NAFLD (+) group.…”

Comparison of the ability between fatty liver index and triglyceride glucose index to screen hepatic steatosis in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study

“…These markers often include anthropometric indices [22][23][24], serum lipid-associated indices [25,26], aminotransferases [27], or the markers composed of them. Bedogni et al developed a simple scoring system called the fatty liver index (FLI) as a predictor of fatty liver disease [28], and several studies have reported that NAFLD assessed by FLI was well-correlated with hepatic steatosis using abdominal ultrasonography in a general population [29,30].…”