Predictive Analysis of BMI and Liver Size on Kidney Function in Young Mexican American Population

Abstract

This study aimed todetermine the probability of fatty liver, hepatomegaly, and liver size ≥2SDwith age in each category of BMI percentile. It also aimed to investigate therelationship between GFR, BMI percentile, liver size, Blood Pressure (BP), andright kidney volume among overweight and obese boys and girls and to identifythe predictors of GFR. 763 records of boys and girls visiting a pediatricclinic in South Texas from 2003 to 2018 were assessed. Statistical analysessuch as linear regression, binary logistic regression, cubic estimation, pathanalysis, and factor analysis were performed. It was found that among all theBMI percentile categories, boys have larger liver sizes than girls. Obese boysand girls have the largest liver size than overweight boys and girls followedby normal (robust) and underweight (slim) boys and girls. As the BMI percentileincreases, the probability of fatty liver, hepatomegaly, and liver size ≥2SDincreases. As the BMI percentile increases, decreased kidney functionprevalence increases in the young Mexican American population. Decreased kidneyfunction is also affected by liver enlargement and increased systolic bloodpressure. Obese boys' and girls' kidney function start to drop at age 7.755while overweight boys' and girls' start to fall at age 9.185. The exponentialtrends in the probabilities between liver size and age indicate that overweightand obese boys and girls are at higher risk for fatty and enlarged liver.Overweight and obese boys and girls have reduced kidney function as indicatedby their decreasing GFR.  High BMI percentile,increased liver size, and increased systolic blood pressure are precursors(predictors) to decreased kidney function.