Development of a prediction protocol for the screening of metabolic associated fatty liver disease in children with overweight or obesity.

Abstract

The early detection and management of children with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is challenging. To develop a non-invasive and accurate prediction protocol for the identification of MAFLD among children with overweight/obesity candidates to confirmatory diagnosis. A total of 115 children aged 8-12 years with overweight/obesity, recruited at a primary care, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The external validation was performed using a cohort of children with overweight/obesity (N = 46) aged 8.5-14.0 years. MAFLD (≥5.5% hepatic fat) was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fasting blood biochemical parameters were measured, and 25 candidates' single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined. Variables potentially associated with the presence of MAFLD were included in a multivariate logistic regression. Children with MAFLD (36%) showed higher plasma triglycerides (TG), insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), glutamyl-transferase (GGT) and ferritin (p The HEPAKID prediction protocol is an accurate, easy to implant, minimally invasive and low economic cost tool useful for the early identification and management of paediatric MAFLD in primary care.