Use of ECO-fast at obesity children as a tool for detecting risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: In recent decades, a significant increase in childhood obesity has been observed. For this reason, it is interesting to have early markers of comorbidi-ty. Ultrasound of adipose and muscle tissue is an emerging technique validated in adults, with no studies in the pediatric population. The main objective of this study is to assess whether the measurement of preperitoneal fat by nutritional ultrasound is a good screening method for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children. Patients and methods: Prospective longitudinal study. A study of somatometry, bioelectrical impedancemetry and nutritional ul-trasound has been carried out. Results: 102 patients were included, with a mean BMI (SDS) of 2.58. A linear and direct correlation was observed between the fat mass measured by bioelectri-cal impedancemetry and the total subcutaneous abdominal fat measured by nutritional ultra-sound. We also observed a correlation between preperitoneal fat measured by nutritional ultra-sound and NASH, with a cut-off point of 0.93 cm of preperitoneal fat (sensitivity 96% and speci-ficity 94%). Conclusion: Measurement of preperitoneal fat by nutritional ultrasound is a good screening method for NASH in obese children.