Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of screening tests ALT and ultrasound for pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and ultrasound (US) are the most commonly used tools for detecting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). No direct comparison of these two modalities in children exists. We aimed to compare head-to-head the diagnostic accuracy of ALT and US and their combination for detecting NAFLD in children with obesity.

Constipation and colonic transit times in children with morbid obesity.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of functional constipation according to the Rome III criteria in children with morbid obesity and to evaluate by measuring colonic transit times (CTTs) whether decreased colonic motility is present in these children.

Patients And Methods: Ninety-one children with morbid obesity ages 8 to 18 years, entering a prospective, randomized controlled study evaluating the effect of an outpatient versus inpatient treatment program of obesity, participated. All of the children filled out a standardized questionnaire regarding their bowel habits, and CTTs were measured using radioopaque markers.