Aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index and body mass index in children with fatty liver

Background Obesity in children is becoming a global epidemic. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent and potentially serious complication of childhood obesity. The early identification of fibrosis is important in children v.ith NAFLD in order to prevent the development of liver disease in adulthood. One noninvasive procedure to predict liver fibrosis is the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)platelet ratio index (APRI). Objective The purpose of our study was to assess a correlation between APRI and body mass index (BMI) in obese children with fatty liver. Methods A crosssectional study was conducted from August to September 2007. Subjects were obese children from one junior high school in Semarang. Complete blood count, transaminase enzyme measurement, and abdominal ultrasound (USG) were performed on each subject. Only subjects with bright liver on USG underwent APRI analysis. Spearman's correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results Of 3 7 obese children, 19 children had bright liver on USG. Their mean APRI was 0.16 (SD 0.119). Only one obese subject (1137) with bright liver had an APRI > 0.5. APRI was significantly correlated to alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels (r = 0.62), but not significantly correlated to weight and BMI. Conclusion There was no correlation between APRI and BMI. Only lout of 37 obese children with fatty liver had APRI levels indicating the presence of liver fibrosis. [Paediatr Indones. 2012;52:181-4]