Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (대한소아소화기영양학회)
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Relationships with Alanine Aminotransferase Activity, and Anthropometric and Biochemical Measures in Obese Children

단순 비만아에서 간효소치와 신체 계측 및 생화학 측정치와의 관련성

  • Yun, Gyoung-Bin (Department of Pediatrics, Chungnam National University, School of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Jae-Young (Department of Pediatrics, Chungnam National University, School of Medicine)
  • 윤경빈 (충남대학교 의학전문대학원 소아과학교실) ;
  • 김재영 (충남대학교 의학전문대학원 소아과학교실)
  • Received : 2009.01.23
  • Accepted : 2009.03.09
  • Published : 2009.03.30
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the physical and biochemical parameters related with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in obese children. Methods: One hundred forty-two obese or overweight children who visited the out-patient clinics of Chungnam National University Hospital between January 2006 and August 2008 were enrolled. Physical measures and biochemical tests were performed in all patients. Liver sonography was performed in 43 patients. They were divided into the following 2 groups based on ALT levels: group I, normal ALT levels (n=65); and group II, elevated ALT levels (n=77). We compared the physical measures, biochemical results, and ultrasonographic findings of the livers in both groups. Other causes of elevated serum ALT levels were ruled out. Results: The male-to-female ratios were 1.6:1 in group I and 7.6:1 in group II. Among physical parameters, the waist circumference-to-height ratio and hip circumference-to-height ratio were significantly higher in group II (p=0.001 and 0.046, respectively). Among biochemical parameters, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase (${\gamma}$-GT), and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in group II (p<0.001, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The AST/ALT ratio was <1 (mean, 0.55) and statistically lower in group II. There was a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and ${\gamma}$-GT (p<0.001, r=0.750), and a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and the waist circumference-to-height ratio in group II (p<0.001, r=0.401). Conclusion: The results suggest that the waist circumference-to-height ratio and ${\gamma}$-GT may be associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase activity in obese children.

목 적: 비만에서 발생하는 비알코올성 지방간질환은 대부분 무증상이어서 혈청 검사에서 간효소치 상승이 있거나 간초음파검사에서 지방간이 발견되는 경우에 이 질환에 대한 의학적 관심이 증가한다. 본 연구에서는 비만아와 과체중아에서 간세포손상을 반영하는 ALT 상승과 신체 계측치 및 생화학적 검사치들과의 관련성을 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법: 2006년 1월부터 2008년 6월까지 충남대병원 소아청소년과에서 비만 또는 과체중으로 진단받은 142예를 대상으로 신체 계측, 생화학 검사를, 간초음파검사는 일부 환자에서 시행하였다. ALT치를 기준으로 정상 군(I군)과 상승 군(II군)으로 분류하여 신체 계측치, 생화학 검사치, 간초음파 소견을 비교하였다. 바이러스간염, 약물 유발 간염, 대사이상 간염, 내분비 장애, 유전 질환이 있는 경우는 연구 대상에서 제외하였다. 결 과: 단순 비만아에서 간전이효소치의 상승은 전체의 54.2%에서 있었으며, 남녀별로는 남아 63.0%, 여아 26.5%에서 있었다. I군과 II군의 나이는 각각 11.4${\pm}$3.3, 11.7${\pm}$3.2세로 차이가 없었다. 성별 분포는 I군은 남아 40예, 여아 25예로 총 65예, II군은 남아 68예, 여아 9예로 총 77예로 양군 모두 남아가 통계적으로 유의하게 많았으며(p=0.003, 0.001) 남녀 비는 I군 1.6:1, II군 7.6:1로 II군에서 남아의 발생빈도가 4.8배 더 높았다. 신체 계측치는 허리둘레/키 비, 엉덩이둘레/키 비가 II군에서 통계적으로 유의하게 높았으며(p=0.001, 0.046), 키, 체중, 체질량지수, 허리둘레, 엉덩이둘레, 허리둘레/엉덩이둘레 비, 비만 정도는 양 군 간에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 생화학 검사치와 인슐린 저항성에서는 AST, ${\gamma}$-GT, 총콜레스테롤 수치가 II군에서 통계적으로 유의하게 높았고, AST/ALT비는 I군 1.10${\pm}$0.41, II군 0.55${\pm}$0.17로 II군에서 유의하게 낮았다(p<0.001, <0.001, <0.001). 중성지방, 고밀도지질단백 콜레스테롤, 저밀도지질단백 콜레스테롤 수치, 공복 시 인슐린 농도, 혈당, 인슐린 저항성 지표는 두 군 간에 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 단변량 상관관계분석에서는 체질량지수, 엉덩이둘레/키 비, 허리둘레/키 비, ${\gamma}$-GT, 중성지방이 양의 상관관계를 보였다. 간초음파검사는 I군 11예, II군 32예에서 시행되었는데, 양 군 모두 경도의 지방간 소견이 가장 많았으며, 양 군 간에 지방간 빈도에는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결 론: 비만아에서 허리둘레/키 비, AST, AST/ALT비, ${\gamma}$-GT, 총 콜레스테롤 농도가 ALT치가 정상인 군 보다 상승된 군에서 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 보였으며, 허리둘레/키 비와 ${\gamma}$-GT가 ALT 상승과 통계적으로 유의한 양의 상관관계를 보여 쉽게 측정할 수 있는 신체 계측치인 허리둘레/키 비를 ALT치가 상승된 비만아의 관리에 참고 자료로 이용해 볼 수 있겠다. 그러나 이에 대해서는 향후 더 많은 연구가 필요하다.

Keywords

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