en |
Association of Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Levels with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Normal-Weight and Overweight Children
Samani, Shohreh-Ghatreh; Kelishadi, Roya; Adibi, Atoosa; Noori, Hengameh & Moeini, Mina
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of increased alanine aminotransferase
(ALT), defined by a gender-specific cutoff value, among normal weight and overweight children;
and to assess the relationship of increasing ALT levels with cardiometabolic risk factors.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among school students, aged 6-18 years in
Isfahan, Iran. Based on the body mass index (BMI) percentiles, a group of normal-weight was
compared with a group of overweight and obese students. Gender differences were considered for
increased levels of ALT, i.e. 19U/L and 30U/L for girls and boys respectively.
Findings: The study participants consisted of 1172 students (56.2% girls), with a mean (SD) age of
12.57 (3.3) years. Among overweight/obese students the mean triglycerides (TG) and diastolic
blood pressure was significantly higher in those with increased ALT than in those with normal ALT
levels. The logistic regression analysis showed that among overweight/obese boys, for each 1 unit
increase in ALT, the odds ratio (OR) of TG, total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure increased
significantly. After adjusting for age, these associations remained significant, and the OR of high
density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) decreased significantly. In the model adjusting for age and
BMI, the ORs of TG and HDL-c remained significant. After adjusting for age and waist
circumference, HDL-c was the only parameter with significant OR. Among overweight/obese girls,
in all models applied, the OR was significant for TG and total cholesterol. A significant independent
association was documented for waist circumference and increase in ALT after adjustment for BMI.
Conclusion: This study documented significant relationship of increased ALT levels, defined by a
gender-specific cutoff point, with cardiometabolic risk factors and hypertriglyceridemic-waist
phenotype in Iranian children and adolescents.
Keywords
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors; Fatty Liver; Children; Prevention
|