Ultrasonography and Functional Hepatic Alterations in Obese Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To determine the ultrasonography and liver functional alterations in obese children and adolescents. Methods: non-experimental, analytical, cross-sectional study carried out in children and adolescents with obesity from five to seventeen years of age. The sample was divided into two groups, one with the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (nafld) (group 1) and the other with normal liver (group 2), determined by ultrasonography. Anthropometry, body composition and serum level measurements were performed to establish a biochemical and functional liver profile. Differences between groups were analyzed by Student’s t-test, p<0.05. Results: a total of 59 participants were studied, of which 54.2% (n=32) were female and 45.8% (n=27) male. The average age of the population studied was 10.05 ± 2.5 years. Group 1 consisted of a total of 72.9% of patients (n=43), and group 2 consisted of 27.1% (n=16). The findings showed alterations in serum levels, biochemical profile and liver functionality. Fasting transaminases and insulin were significantly higher in group 1 patients than in group 2 (p<0.05). A higher insulin resistance (p=0.000) was also observed in group 1. Conclusions: there were alterations in serum levels, biochemical profile and hepatic functionality. Ultrasound and liver function tests should be part of the initial evaluation for early identification of this pathology in obese infants.