Characteristics of study participants*
| Control | NAFLD | |
|---|---|---|
| n | 29 | 20 |
| Sex (girls/boys) | 14/15 | 12/8 |
| Ethnicity (Caucasian/Asian) | 22/7 | 10/10 |
| Age (years) | 7.1 (6.6–8.1) | 8.25 (6.9–9.0) |
| Height (m) | 1.26 (1.21–1.32) | 1.32 (1.29–1.39)† |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 16.8 (16.2–17.8) | 22.1 (19.4–24.2)† |
| BMI-SD score | 0.50 (0.27–0.92) | 2.14 (1.50–2.38)† |
| Waist circumference (cm) | 58.8 (57–61.4) | 77.3 (70.2–81.8)† |
| ALT (U/L) | 18 (15–22) | 22 (20–28.8)† |
| AST (U/L) | 33 (30–37.5) | 33 (26.8–35.8) |
| TG (mg/dL) | 53 (43–62.5) | 74.5 (64–101)† |
| Leptin (ng/mL) | 1.8 (1.1–3) | 7.9 (4.4–13.3)† |
| Insulin (µIU/mL) | 8.6 (7.1–9.4) | 12.1 (10.3–16.6)† |
| HOMA-IR | 1.7 (1.6–2) | 2.3 (1.9–4)† |
| TNFα (pg/mL) | 0.126 (0.104–0.140) | 0.141 (0.123–0.172)† |
| SIBO (with/without) | 2/27 | 2/17‡ |
*Data are shown as total number or median (IQR).
†p<0.05 in comparison to normal-weight controls.
‡One child refused the H2-exhalation test.
ALT, alanine amino transferase; AST, aspartate amino transferase; BMI, body mass index; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance; NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth; TG, triglyceride; TNFα, tumour necrosis factor α.