Journal of Clinical Virology
Volume 46, Issue 4 , Pages 360-362, December 2009

Hepatic steatosis is uncommon in children with chronic hepatitis B

  • Antonietta Giannattasio

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
    • ,
  • Francesco Cirillo

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
    • ,
  • Vito Terlizzi

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
    • ,
  • Daniela Liccardo

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
    • ,
  • Raffaella Vecchione

      Affiliations

    • Department of Biomorphological Science, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
    • ,
  • Raffaele Iorio

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Department of Pediatrics, University “Federico II”, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy. Tel.: +39 0817464337; fax: +39 0817464337.

Received 9 July 2009; received in revised form 15 September 2009; accepted 15 September 2009. published online 15 October 2009.

Abstract 

Background

Differently from chronic hepatitis C, factors associated with hepatic steatosis in children with chronic hepatitis B are not clearly elucidated.

Objective

Aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of steatosis at liver biopsy in HBV-infected children.

Study design

A retrospective study including 56 children with chronic hepatitis B undergoing liver biopsy at median age of 8.1 years. In all patients demographic, anthropometric, clinical and laboratory data were evaluated at the time of liver biopsy.

Results

Steatosis was present in 2 (4%) children. BMI was significantly higher in 2 patients with steatosis compared with those without steatosis. Demographic, biochemical and virological parameters did not differ between children with and those without steatosis.

Conclusions

Liver steatosis in HBV-infected children seems to be related to obesity and metabolic factors rather than to viral factors. Detection of steatosis in non-obese children with HBV infection requires a careful investigation to rule out other causes of fatty liver.

Abbreviations: HCV, hepatitis C virus, CHC, chronic hepatitis C, CHB, chronic hepatitis B, HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen, BMI, body mass index, AST, aspartate aminotranferase, ALT, alanine aminotranferase, GGT, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase

Keywords: Liver steatosis, HBV, Children

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PII: S1386-6532(09)00445-4

doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2009.09.021

Journal of Clinical Virology
Volume 46, Issue 4 , Pages 360-362, December 2009

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