Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2019 May;22(3):233-241. 10.5223/pghn.2019.22.3.233.

Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Suspected Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in an Adolescent Population

• Cho YH
• Kim JW
• Shim JO
• Yang HR
• Chang JY
• Moon JS
• Ko JS

• KMID: 2444849
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2019.22.3.233

Abstract

PURPOSE
Vitamin D deficiency is a condition widespread throughout the world. Recent studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency was associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents.
METHODS
The data were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008-2014. A total of 3,878 adolescents were included in the study. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration <20 ng/mL and suspected NAFLD was defined as an alanine transaminase concentration >30 U/L.
RESULTS
Vitamin D deficiency was noted in 78.9% of the studied population. Age, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in adolescents with suspected NAFLD than in adolescents without suspected NAFLD, while the mean vitamin D level was significantly lower in adolescents with suspected NAFLD. The multivariate-adjusted odds of suspected NAFLD were higher with increased age, male gender, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Individuals with vitamin D deficiency were at higher risk of suspected NAFLD (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.95) after adjusting for age, gender, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
CONCLUSION
Vitamin D deficiency was associated with suspected NAFLD, independent of obesity and metabolic syndrome, in adolescents.

Keyword

Vitamin D deficiency; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Alanine transaminase; Adolescent; Children; Obesity

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Alanine Transaminase
Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Child
Cholesterol
Glucose
Humans
Male
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease*
Nutrition Surveys
Obesity
Triglycerides
Vitamin D Deficiency*
Vitamin D*
Vitamins*
Waist Circumference
Alanine Transaminase
Cholesterol
Glucose
Vitamin D
Vitamins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The density plot of log-transformed ALT levels in adolescents according to the presence or absence of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in adolescents with ALT levels above 30 U/L (p<0.01). ALT: alanine transaminase.

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