Scheimann, Ann

Objective: We aim to identify the spectrum of etiologies of steatosis in pediatric liver biopsies. Methods: Information was collected from 155 children with steatosis on liver biopsy, including anthropometrics, laboratory, and radiologic data. Biopsies were reviewed by a liver pathologist. Results: The 4 major diagnoses associated with hepatic steatosis were nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (37%), metabolic disease (9%), oncologic disease (8%) and viral hepatitis (7%). Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were older ( P = .0001) and more likely to have a body mass index z score >2 ( P < .0001). Patients with a metabolic diagnosis were younger ( P = .0002). Radiologic imaging of the liver yielded normal results in 44 of 108 of children (30%); 7 of these had >66% macrovesicular fatty change on biopsy, and 3 had severe fibrosis/cirrhosis. Conclusions: The range of causes of steatosis in pediatric liver biopsies is broad. Not all patients, even with advanced liver disease, had abnormalities with liver imaging, emphasizing the role for liver biopsy in certain cases.

ABSTRACTObjectives:In adults, vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and has been associated with the severity of histology. There are known differences between adult and pediatric NAFLD, with little data regarding the relation between vitamin D and pediatric NAFLD. The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between vitamin D levels and NAFLD in children.Methods:Clinical and histological data were used from children ages 2 to 18 years with biopsy‐proven NAFLD enrolled in the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network studies. 25(OH) vitamin D levels were measured from serum. Data examined included demographics, anthropometrics, laboratory markers, and liver histology. Data were analyzed using 3 categories of vitamin D level: deficient (≤20 ng/mL), insufficient (21–29 ng/mL), and sufficient (≥30 ng/mL).Results:A total of 102 children were studied. There was a high prevalence (80/102, 78%) of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency; however, there were no significant associations between vitamin D level and the histological characteristics or severity of NAFLD. Significantly higher levels of triglycerides were found in those with vitamin D deficiency (P = 0.004), but there was no association with other features of the metabolic syndrome.Conclusions:There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children with biopsy‐proven NAFLD; however, no association was found between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of disease on biopsies. This differs from adult NAFLD studies in which vitamin D deficiency correlates with histological severity, suggesting differences in the risk factors for or consequences of pediatric NAFLD.