Prevalence of hepatopathy in type 1 diabetic children.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The Prevalence of liver disease among diabetics has been estimated to be between 17% and 100%. Most of these data were obtained from adult studies. The aim of our study was to screen for liver disease among type 1 diabetic children.

METHODS:

Children with type 1 diabetes following in clinic have been examined for existence of liver disease, from November 2008 to November 2009. All were subjected to the following: History, physical examination, liver function tests, fasting lipid profile, HbA1C, and ultrasound of the liver. A hyperechogenic liver and/or hepatomegaly on ultrasound were attributed most likely to excess glycogen or fat in the liver, after negative extensive work-up to rule out other underlying liver disease.

RESULTS:

106 children with type 1 diabetes were studied: age ranged between 8 months to 15.5 years, sixty two patients were females. Twenty two patients (21%) were identified to have abnormal findings on ultrasound of the liver: 10 patients had hepatomegaly and 12 had hyperechogenic liver. The group with hyperechogenic liver had poorer glycemic control than patients with normal liver (Mean HbA1c 12.14% Vs 10.7%; P value = 0.09). Hyperechogenic liver resolved in 60% at 6 months follow-up upon achieving better glycemic control.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hyperechogenic liver and/or hepatomegaly are not uncommon in children with type 1 diabetes and tend to be more prevalent among children with poor glycemic control. Type 1 diabetes related hepatopathy is reversible by optimizing glycemic control. Because of its safety, and reliability, ultrasound can be used to screen for hepatopathy in type 1 diabetic child.

• Authors: Abdulrahman A Al-Hussaini, Nimer M Sulaiman, Musa D Alzahrani, Ahmed S Alenizi, Mannan Khan
• Journal: BMC pediatrics (BMC Pediatr) Vol. 12 Pg. 160 (Oct 06 2012) ISSN: 1471-2431 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23039762 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Diabetes Complications (epidemiology, etiology)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 (complications)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Liver Diseases (epidemiology, etiology)
• Male
• Prevalence
• Prospective Studies