Serum fetuin A concentration is elevated in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Purpose: To assess the serum fetuin A concentration as a potential marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in obese children with NAFLD.

Material/methods: A prospective analysis of 45 obese children initially diagnosed with liver pathology (elevated serum ALT activity and/or ultrasonographic liver brightness and/or hepatomegaly) was conducted. The diagnosis of NAFLD was established in the children with elevated serum ALT activity and liver steatosis on ultrasound examination. Viral hepatitis, autoimmune, metabolic liver diseases (Wilson disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis) and drug and toxin-induced liver injury were excluded in all children. The degree of liver steatosis was graded according to Saverymuttu scale and the total liver lipids concentration was assessed using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS).

Results: Serum fetuin A concentration was significantly higher in examined children compared to the control group (n=30) (p=0.00002). Higher serum fetuin A concentration was also observed in children with NAFLD (n=19) in comparison to the controls (p=0.000026). Additionally, higher BMI values, waist circumferences, ALT and GGT activity, intensity of liver steatosis on ultrasound and total concentration of lipids in the liver in (1)H MRS were found in children with NAFLD compared to the rest of the examined obese patients (n=26). There was not found any correlation of the investigated glycoprotein with any other assessed parameters both in children with NAFLD and obese children without NAFLD.

Conclusion: Higher serum fetuin A concentration found in children with NAFLD compared to the control group support the hypothesis that atherosclerotic processes may develop faster in hepatopatic obese patients.