The defining of the reference range of liver stiffness and fat attenuation parameter for healthy Chinese children
Zeng, Fansen a,,*; Wang, Haiyan b,,*; Li, Xufang a
Author Information
a Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University
b Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
*Fansen Zeng and Haiyan Wang contributed equally and co-first authors.
Received 20 April 2020 Accepted 28 May 2020
Correspondence to Fansen Zeng, Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou City 510515, Guangdong Province, China, Tel: +86 13560034520; e-mail: [email protected]
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology: November 2021 - Volume 33 - Issue 11 - p 1394-1399
doi: 10.1097/MEG.0000000000001874
Abstract
Aims
We aimed to establish the basal reference levels of liver stiffness and accumulated fat in healthy Chinese children.
Methods
To obtain the liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and the fat attenuation parameter (FAP) levels, the transient elastography (FibroTouch) was used in pediatric patients aged 0 to 18 years. The patients were divided into groups as follows: newborns/infants (0–2 years), preschool children (3–5 years), elementary school children (6–11 years), and adolescents/teenagers (12–18 years). The weight, height and fasting liver function tests were performed. FibroTouch and abdominal ultrasonography were performed.
Results
The livers of 521 out of 1362 children (329 male; median age, 4.6 years; age range 0.2–17.6 years) were examined with the FibroTouch. The LSM reference range was 1.5–5.9 kPa, and the FAP reference range was 159.6–217.1 dB/m in healthy children from 0 to 18 years of age. The median LSM value was higher in males than that in females (3.5 vs. 3.2 kPa, respectively; P = 0.01).
Conclusion