Investigation of Clinical and Pathological Relationships between Adult- and Pediatric-type NASH in Korean Children

BACKGROUND Histologically, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is categorized into adult-type (type 1) and pediatric-type (type 2). The origination of the histological difference between the two types and how they differ clinically remain uncertain. We aimed to understand the incidence and clinical characteristics of the two types of NASH in Korean children, and to investigate the association between their pathological type and clinical characteristics, using anthropometric and laboratory data. METHODS In 38 children with confirmed NASH, we investigated hepatic pathological findings, and correlating factors between pathological type and laboratory and anthropometric data (weight percentile, body mass index (BMI) z-score, and blood pressure percentile). Adult-type NASH was noted in 21 patients and pediatric-type in 17 patients. RESULTS Age, sex, BMI, transaminase levels, and insulin resistance were not significantly different between the two groups. Triglyceride (TG) levels were higher in adult-type NASH (P = 0.033). Hematocrit and albumin levels were lower in adult-type NASH (P = 0.016 and 0.013, respectively). Hepatic fibrosis was more common in pediatric-type. The fibrosis scores in patients with adult-type were mostly 0 and 1, whereas the score was 3 in patients with pediatric-type (P = 0.024, 0.004, and < 0.010, respectively). Anthropometric data, liver function, and insulin resistance scores did not differ between the two pathological NASH types. TG, hematocrit, and albumin may be potential factors to predict pathological types. Fibrosis was observed more frequently in pediatric-type NASH. CONCLUSION Monitoring children with pediatric-type NASH for progression to fibrosis or cirrhosis is recommended.