Presenter Status
Fellow
Abstract Type
Research
Primary Mentor
Voytek Slowik
Start Date
14-5-2025 11:30 AM
End Date
14-5-2025 1:30 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Description
Introduction
Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common liver disease in children in the United States and, when left untreated, can progress to liver fibrosis. Clinicians currently utilize imaging and biopsy to assess fibrosis in this patient population as there is no validated serum biomarker available for detecting fibrosis. Previous research suggests that serum hyaluronic acid levels are predictive of hepatic fibrosis in children with MASLD.
Methods
Retrospective data were obtained from the Children’s Mercy Hospital Liver Lab study. Pediatric subjects with both hyaluronic acid (HA) samples and MRI evaluation within a month were identified and included for evaluation. Hyaluronic acid was evaluated via an ELISA-like assay. Measurements of hepatic fat fraction (HFF) and elastography were obtained via averaged MRI region of interest evaluation. SPSS software was utilized to assess correlation between anthropometric measurements, hyaluronic acid, and MRI data, including both HFF and elastography.
Results
A total of 59 patients with 98 unique data points were identified for analysis. Moderate correlations were found between BMI z-score and HFF (r=0.36, p=0.002) and elastography (r=0.47, p<0.001). No statistically significant correlation was identified between HA and BMI z-score (r=-0.09, p=0.348), HFF (r=-0.05, p=0.633), or elastography (r=-0.20, p=0.051).
Conclusion
In contrast to previous literature, this study did not demonstrate a statistically significant correlation between hyaluronic acid levels and MRI-based measurements of hepatic fat or fibrosis. Further research is needed to identify biochemical markers to predict fibrosis in children with MASLD.
Included in
Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons, Medical Pathology Commons, Medical Physiology Commons, Pediatrics Commons
Discrepancy between hyaluronic acid levels and MRI-based measurements of hepatic fat and fibrosis
Introduction
Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common liver disease in children in the United States and, when left untreated, can progress to liver fibrosis. Clinicians currently utilize imaging and biopsy to assess fibrosis in this patient population as there is no validated serum biomarker available for detecting fibrosis. Previous research suggests that serum hyaluronic acid levels are predictive of hepatic fibrosis in children with MASLD.
Methods
Retrospective data were obtained from the Children’s Mercy Hospital Liver Lab study. Pediatric subjects with both hyaluronic acid (HA) samples and MRI evaluation within a month were identified and included for evaluation. Hyaluronic acid was evaluated via an ELISA-like assay. Measurements of hepatic fat fraction (HFF) and elastography were obtained via averaged MRI region of interest evaluation. SPSS software was utilized to assess correlation between anthropometric measurements, hyaluronic acid, and MRI data, including both HFF and elastography.
Results
A total of 59 patients with 98 unique data points were identified for analysis. Moderate correlations were found between BMI z-score and HFF (r=0.36, p=0.002) and elastography (r=0.47, p<0.001). No statistically significant correlation was identified between HA and BMI z-score (r=-0.09, p=0.348), HFF (r=-0.05, p=0.633), or elastography (r=-0.20, p=0.051).
Conclusion
In contrast to previous literature, this study did not demonstrate a statistically significant correlation between hyaluronic acid levels and MRI-based measurements of hepatic fat or fibrosis. Further research is needed to identify biochemical markers to predict fibrosis in children with MASLD.
