Correspondence: Junfen Fu, Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 57 Zhugan Avenue, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, China. Tel.: +86-571-88873013; Fax: +86-571-87033296; E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Hongxi Zhang,

Hongxi Zhang

Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China

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Huiping Yang,

Huiping Yang

Hangzhou City Gongshu Distric Mishi Lane Street Community Health Service Center, Hangzhou, China

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Can Lai,

Can Lai

Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China

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Xiaoqin Xu,

Xiaoqin Xu

Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China

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Ke Huang,

Ke Huang

Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China

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Junfen Fu,

Corresponding Author

Junfen Fu

Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China

First published: 24 February 2015

https://doi.org/10.1111/cen.12758

Citations: 10

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Summary

Objective

Previous studies have shown a significant association between quantified liver fat content (LFC) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults, but the nature of this association in obese paediatric populations is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the quantitative relationship of LFC to MetS and its individual components in obese children and adolescents.

Design

A population-based cross-sectional study.

Patients and measurements

One hundred and eighty-nine Chinese obese paediatric subjects aged 5–16 years were enrolled. Measurements included MetS components, as defined by the Chinese-specific version of the International Diabetes Foundation MetS criteria (MetS-CHN2012), and LFC using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Results

LFC was significantly higher in subjects with MetS [median 9·7% (interquartile range 4·5–19·9%)] than without MetS [5·7% (2·0–12·8%)] (P < 0·01). LFC was also positively associated with the total number of MetS components (P for trend <0·01). In analyses adjusted for traditional risk factors, increasing levels of LFC were associated with a greater risk of MetS, hypertriglyceridaemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0·05 for all associations), but were not associated with risk of hyperglycaemia or hypertension.

Conclusions

In obese Chinese paediatric patients, quantitative measures of LFC are positively associated with the risk of MetS, hypertriglyceridaemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, independent of traditional risk factors. These findings suggest that quantitatively measured LFC may be a clinically useful marker for identifying obese paediatric who are at increased risk of developing MetS and its components.

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Volume83, Issue1

July 2015

Pages 43-49

Quantitative relationship between liver fat content and metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents

Summary

Objective

Design

Patients and measurements

Results

Conclusions

References

Citing Literature

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Quantitative relationship between liver fat content and metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents

Summary

Objective

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Patients and measurements

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References

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