Evaluation of Body Mass Index, laboratory and ultrasound findings of children with Hepatosteatosis in our clinic

8. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Obesity is one of the important health problems that is increasing in children and brings many risks such as respiratory, skeletal, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. One of the most important complications that increases with obesity is MASLD in childhood. MASLD has a spectrum that able to progress from steatosis to fibrosis and cirrhosis and is diagnosed by radiologically or via biopsy. The basic approach in treatment is weight loss. Diet and exercise are recommended, while some pharmacological and surgical procedures are required in certain patient groups. This study objects to contribute to the literature by evaluating the clinical and laboratory findings of obese children followed up for hepatosteatosis. MATERIAL and METHODS: Our study included obese children aged 2-18 years who were presented to Akdeniz University Medical Faculty Pediatric Gastroenterology Polyclinic between 2014-2024 and were diagnosed with hepatosteatosis by USG. The study was designed as a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Clinical findings, laboratory values and radiological examination results of the patients were obtained from the hospital data system. 96 of the 224 patients included presented for the second time to follow-up and their data were compared with their first application. RESULTS: The inclueded 224 patients in the study was determined as 12.4±3.0 years. 40.2% of the patients were recognized as female and 59.8% as male. It was defined that 82.6% of the patients were asymptomatic, and ALT elevation was determined in 23.7% of those patients at the presentation. 96 patients presented second time for control examination, the average follow-up period was 21.4±19.7 months. While a slight decrease recognized in the BMI p value, significant decreases were seen in ALT and AST values. According to the USG assasments at presentation, 51.3% of the patients were classified as Grade 1, 39.3% as Grade 2, and 9.4% as Grade 3. In the second time, the Grade 1 rate was determined as 43.8%, Grade 2 as 37.5%, and Grade 3 as 7.3%. Normal USG findings were observed at a rate of 11.5% in the second presentation. While USG Grades are increased, BMI p values are also increase significantly. Also, a negative relation was determined between BMI p and HDL. In the second presentation, a negative relation proceeded between BMI and HDL, but no significant relation was found with LDL, total bilirubin and triglyceride. It was determined that while USG Grades were increased, HDL decreased and triglyceride increased. CONCLUSION: It has analyzed the common causes and complications of childhood obesity. Elevated ALT and MASLD are frequently observed on obese patitents, but it has been determined that most of them are asymptomatic. It is recognized that MASLD will not recover without a decrease in BMI p, therefore, weight control is critical in treatment. It has been emphasized that USG Grades and lipid profile changes are determined to be with the recover of MASLD, and ALT and HDL can be important biomarkers in follow-up. As a result, the importance of early diagnosis, regular follow-up and lifestyle changes has been revealed against childhood obesity. KEY WORDS: hepatosteatosis, obesity, MASLD, ALT, HDL