A Decline in Aminotransferase Activity Due to Lifestyle Modification in Children with NAFLD
Journal Title: The Journal of Pediatric Research - Year 2021, Vol 8, Issue 1
Abstract
Aim: As obesity rates in children and adolescents increase, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common liver disease affecting this organ. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications as a method of improving liver function indexes in children with NAFLD. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 49 patients with NAFLD (35 boys and 14 girls), age range 3-16 years (mean 10.51±3.18 years). Anthropometric measurements were taken and laboratory tests were performed. Features of steatosis of the liver were evaluated by ultrasound. The mean follow-up period was 2.45±1.45 years. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to [Platelet (PLT) Ratio and Pediatric NAFLD Fibrosis Score (PNFS)] were calculated. The Mediterranean diet and physical exercises were recommended. End-point parameters were a decrease in the aminotransferase level and body weight. Results: In the study group, 35 children (71.43%) were obese, and 7 (14.29%) were overweight. In 22/49 cases (44.9%) body mass index (BMI) loss was achieved, in the other patients, BMI gain was noted. Abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were observed in 25/49 children. In the group of children with initial increased ALT levels, significant reduction of ALT, AST and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels were found with regard to baseline values. There was also a significant decline in mean AST to PLT Ratio index (APRI) level and PLT count. Moreover, a decrease in ALT level was negatively related to PNFS, APRI and GGT. Conclusion: Lifestyle modification leads to a significant decrease in aminotransferase levels, even in children who fail to achieve BMI reduction.
Authors and Affiliations
Pawel Malecki, Anna Mania, Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska, ☨Wojciech Sluzewski, Magdalena Figlerowicz
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP693591
- DOI 10.4274/jpr.galenos.2020.26042
- Views 81
- Downloads 0
An Investigation of Pediatric Nurses’ Oral Care Practices
Aim: Oral care is a standard practice used to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units and in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. This research examines the oral care practices of...
Etiological Evaluation of Congenital Hypothyroidism in Cases Referred from the National Screening Program
Aim: To evaluate cases referred from the congenital hypothyroidism (CH) new-born screening program. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-five cases which were referred between January 2017 and July 2019 were in...
Community-acquired Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Morganella Morganii
Aim: Escherichia coli is the most common microorganism recovered in urinary tract infections (UTI) in all age groups. Lately, different pathogens, such as Morganella morganii, are beginning to be isolated. The aim of thi...
Paediatric Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: Clinical Features and Surgical Outcomes
Aim: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, predisposing factors and surgical outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in paediatric patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective consecutive case ser...
Successful Orthotopic Heart Transplantation in Patients with Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Cardiomyopathy is a major factor contributing to mortality and morbidity in patients with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD), and is therefore among the increasingly important findings. These X-linked rec...