ABSTRACT

CONCLUSIONS:

High TSH and low vitamin D levels are associated with FLD In obese children. As the degree of obesity and age increases, the risk of FLD increases. In addition, increased ALT, triglyceride, HOMA-IR are risk factors for FLD. These findings can be used as a noninvasive screening parameters for identify children needing of liver biopsy and / or more aggressive therapeutic interventions.

RESULTS:

FLD was determined in 63.2% (n= 177) of patients. Age, BMI SDS, waist / hip ratio, ALT, triglyceride, TSH level (p = 0.01) and HOMA-IR values were significantly higher and 25 OH vitamin D levels were significantly lower (p = 0.001) in the FLD group compared to non FLD group. There was a positive correlation between age, BMI SDS, waist / hip ratio, ALT, triglyceride and HOMA-IR levels and degree of hepatosteatosis. There was a negative correlation between vitamin D and the degree of hepatosteatosis. There was no correlation between TSH, fT4 and fT3 levels and the degree of hepatosteatosis (r = 0.062, r = 0.074, r = 0.032, respectively).

MATERIALS and METHODS:

A total of 280 obese children and adolescents aged 8-18 years were included in the study. The presence of fatty liver was investigated by ultrasonography. Patients were divided into two groups. Groups were compared according to anthropometric and laboratory parameters (serum glucose, AST, ALT, lipid profile, 25 OH vitamin D, free T4, free T3, TSH and HOMA-IR).

INTRODUCTION:

Determining the risk factors associated with Fatty Liver Disease (FLD) is important for early diagnosis and treatment of FLD.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between FLD and vitamin D and thyroid functions in obese children and adolescents.