Hepatic Inflammation May Influence Liver Stiffness Measurements by Transient Elastography in Children and Young Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Transient elastography (TE) measures liver stiffness to assess fibrosis. Studies in adults have shown that inflammation increases stiffness, leading to an overestimation of fibrosis. We investigated the contribution of inflammation to liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) in children/young adults.

Methods

This was a cohort analysis of children/young adults who underwent TE within 1 year of liver biopsy. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was obtained within 30 days of the biopsy and LSM. Fibrosis was assessed by METAVIR stage and inflammation by ALT and Ishak score. Data were stratified into METAVIR F0-F2 versus F3-F4. Change between ALT and LSM over time was also assessed.

Results

A total of 154 patients (50% male patients) ages 3 weeks to 24 years (18% <3 years

SUBMITTER: Raizner A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5316380 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature