Controlled Attenuation Parameter in Healthy Individuals Aged 8–70 Years

Purpose Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) is a non-invasive method to assess the presence of liver steatosis. It has been evaluated in children and adults, mainly in either the obese or in subjects with suspected liver disease. Our aim was to describe CAP in healthy non-obese subjects without suspected liver steatosis and to suggest cutoff levels for steatosis. Materials and Methods We prospectively recruited 187 individuals aged 8–70 years. All underwent clinical examination, including height and weight measurement. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and converted into z-scores. To exclude liver pathology, B-mode ultrasound and liver stiffness measurements were performed in all prior to CAP measurement. Blood was drawn for liver biochemistry in adults. Results CAP was associated with BMI z-score across all ages. CAP started to rise alongside BMI z-score already in subjects with a BMI below average. CAP values were higher in adults than in children (p