Insulin-like growth factor 1 and metabolic parameters are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children and adolescents.

Aim: Few studies have investigated the relationship between paediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This study, carried out from July 2013 to September 2015, aimed to fill the gap and added metabolic parameters to the analysis.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 168 obese children and adolescents (84% male), divided into two groups based on the presence (n = 90) or absence (n = 78) of NAFLD. All participants underwent clinical examinations, anthropometric and laboratory examinations and liver ultrasonography.

Results: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients had significantly lower IGF-1 standard deviation score (IGF-1 SDS) and higher body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and uric acid levels than the control group. The prevalence rate of NAFLD was negatively correlated with the IGF-1 SDS. IGF-1 SDS was negatively associated with NAFLD, while BMI, HOMA-IR and uric acid were positively associated with NAFLD. The combined analysis of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for multiple variables, including IGF-1 SDS, BMI, HOMA-IR and uric acid, was 0.812, with a sensitivity of 78.89% and specificity of 74.36%.

Conclusion: IGF-1, BMI, HOMA-IR and uric acid were useful markers of NAFLD in obese children and adolescents.