Feasibility study and reference values of FibroScan 502 with M probe in healthy preschool children aged 5years

BackgroundTransient elastography (TE) using FibroScan with M probe has been widely used in adults for controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). In this study, we aimed to assess the feasibility of this approach and reference values of CAP and LSM in healthy preschool children aged 5years.MethodsFibroScan-502 with M probe (Echosens, Paris, France) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 720, Biospace, South Korea) were prospectively conducted in healthy children aged 5years from the Shanghai Prenatal Cohort Study. Linear regression models and piece-wise linear regression models were used to explore the factors associated with CAP and LSM.ResultsThe success rate of a valid TE measurement was 96.5% in 452 healthy preschool children aged 5years, and 436 children with 236 boys were included for further study. The median, inter quartile range (IQR) and the 5th-95th percentiles of CAP values were 171.50, 162.07-188.13 and 154.21-214.53dB/m, respectively. The median, meanstandard deviation and the 5th-95th percentiles of LSM were 3.20, 3.28 +/- 0.86 and 2.00-4.78kPa, respectively. In multivariate linear regression analyses, the CAP but not the LSM value was significantly positively correlated with such anthropometric index as body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat content and body fat percentage.Conclusions p id=Par4 FibroScan-502 with M-probe can be used to measure CAP and LSM in preschool children aged 5years. The 95th percentiles of CAP values and LSM were 214.53dB/m and 4.78kPa, respectively. Further study should be performed to explore the cut-off values of CAP and LSM for diagnosis of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in children.