Carotid intima-media thickness and flow-mediated dilation in obese children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background/Aims: This study aimed to understand the role of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in increasing the risk of atherosclerosis in obese pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: The study included 109 obese children (age, 9-15 years) and a control group comprising 44 healthy age- and gender-matched children with normal weight. NAFLD was diagnosed using conventional ultrasound (US) examination. Both right carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were assessed in addition to anthropometric measures and serum biochemical parameters, including lipid profile and fasting glucose and insulin levels. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated as a measure of insulin resistance. Results: Mean age and gender distributions were similar in the obese children and control group (p=0.168 and p=0.705, respectively). Median body mass index standard deviation scores of obese children with grade II-III NAFLD were significantly higher than those of obese children without hepatosteatosis (p