Hepatic Steatosis is Negatively Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Children

To evaluate the relationship between hepatic steatosis and bone mineral density (BMD) in children. In addition, to assess 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the relationship between hepatic steatosis and BMD. A community-based sample of 235 children was assessed for hepatic steatosis, BMD, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Hepatic steatosis was measured by liver magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). BMD was measured by whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The mean age of the study population was 12.5 years (SD 2.5 years). Liver MRI-PDFF ranged from 1.1% to 40.1% with a mean of 9.3% (SD 8.5%). Across this broad spectrum of hepatic fat content, there was a significant negative relationship between liver MRI-PDFF and BMD z score (R = −0.421, P