The relationship of liver enzyme abnormalities and obesity in Aboriginal children in Taiwan

Background. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing liver enzyme abnormalities in Aboriginal children in an area endemic for viral hepatitis B in Taiwan. Methods. A cross-sectional study of children of the Bunun tribe was conducted in central Taiwan from March 2002 through May 2002. Children with viral hepatitis were excluded. A total of 399 children (mean age, 8.9+/-2.0 years) were finally recruited. Serum aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) were measured by catalytic activity, using pyridoxal-5'-phosphate for maximum activity; gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was measured using the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) method. Measurement of fatness was determined using the weight-length index, which was calculated as: (weight [kg]divided byheight [cm])divided by(50th percentile weight [kg]divided by50th percentile height [cm]). Results. Approximately 8.5% of the children were overweight, and 12.3% were obese. After adjustment for age, sex, and habit of alcohol drinking, levels of ALT were significantly related to triglyceride levels (beta=0.02; P<0.05) and the weight-length index (beta=14.35; P<0.001); levels of GGT were also significantly related to triglyceride levels (beta=0.02; P<0.001) and the weight-length index (beta=6.84; P<0.001). Conclusions. Our results indicated that children with a higher weight-length index tended to have higher serum ALT and GGT levels. Obesity was a significant determinant of liver enzyme abnormalities in an area endemic for viral hepatitis. Informing children who have clinically silent liver abnormalities (and their parents) about the beneficial effects of weight reduction might be helpful.