Improved diagnostics with novel imaging-based biomarkers for non-invasive liver characterization in children

Chronic liver disease is a significant and increasing health problem in children.

The global prevalence of pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), for example, is now as high as 7-10%.The overall aim is to determine if multiple novel imaging-based biomarkers (SWE, SWD and ATI) can be used to provide detailed, non-invasive liver characterization in children.

The purpose is to provide improved diagnostics and surveillance in children with liver disease and reduce the need for biopsies. Prospectively, over 6-years, children with liver disease in need of biopsy are enrolled (500 children/100 controls).

With ultrasound the stiffness, viscosity and attenuation of the liver is measured using the biomarkers SWE, SWD, and ATI, reflecting fibrosis, inflammation and steatosis. During the same occation a biopsy is obtained. The biomarkers are compared to histology, serology, age and type of liver disease.

In a sub-sample, both regional ultrasound and global MRI imaging-based measures are compared and related to histology.Imaging-based biomarkers have great potential to improve diagnostics by providing objective markers for liver characterization non-invasively.

If the biomarkers can be used to diagnose and differentiate between various pathoanatomic phenotypes (fibrosis/inflammation/steatosis) of liver disease without biopsy it is possible to monitor disease more rigorously, which opens new possibilities to customize and optimize treatment for the individual patient