Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0617-6 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Noninvasive assessment of liver steatosis in child ren: the clinical value of controlled 
attenuation parameter  
 
Version: 0 Date: 03 Mar 2017 
 
Reviewer:  Johannes  Wiegand  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
Filice et al. performed a monocentric clinical study to assess the validity of CAP in the diagnosis 
of hepatic steatosi s in a large cohort of 305 consecutive children. The number of patients is 
adequate, the discussion and use of the different TE probes (S, M -, XL -probe) appropriate and 
the results solid.  
 
 
Two minor comments:  
 
1) Table 2  
 
The authors recruited 305 patients, h owever, in table 2, the mention 311 individuals (n=52 with 
hepatic steatosis, n=259 without). The authors might check their data and correct the table as 
necessary.  
 
2) The 4 figures of the paper are not displayed in the pdf version for the reviewers for 
technical reasons. They have to be reviewed in an updated manuscript version.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statis tical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
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financially from the publication o f this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds or has applied  for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
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below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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