Publication:

Clinicometabolic profile of fatty liver disease in obese children: a study from Kashmir

Background Childhood obesity is an emerging public health challenge and is closely associated with metabolic abnormalities and hepatic complications, particularly fatty liver disease. Objectives were to assess the clinicometabolic profile and determine the incidence of fatty liver disease among overweight and obese children from Kashmir.

Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over two years from August 2022 to July 2024 at a tertiary care center. A total of 112 children aged 5-18 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile were enrolled. Anthropometry, blood pressure measurement, and biochemical evaluation including fasting glucose, lipid profile, liver enzymes, and thyroid function tests were performed. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by ultrasonography, and FibroScan was performed in children with significant ultrasonographic changes or persistent elevation of liver enzymes.

Results The mean age was 10.29±2.71 years, with males constituting 57.1% of participants; 71.4% were obese (BMI ≥95th percentile). Metabolic abnormalities were common, including impaired fasting glucose in 19.6%, hypertriglyceridemia in 73.2%, low HDL cholesterol, and elevated blood pressure in nearly one-third of children. Elevated AST and ALT levels were observed in 52.7% and 34.8% of participants, respectively. Ultrasonography detected fatty liver in 67.9% of children, with prevalence increasing with BMI. FibroScan revealed elevated controlled attenuation parameter values consistent with hepatic steatosis, while liver stiffness values remained within the F0-F1 range.

Conclusions Fatty liver disease is highly prevalent among obese children and is strongly associated with metabolic derangements, emphasizing the need for early screening and comprehensive metabolic evaluation.