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: 11 Mar 2017 
 
Reviewer:  Alempijevic  Tamara  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
Taking into account the overall burden of NAFLD, this manuscript is of great clinical 
importance.  
 
The authors pointed out the limitations of their study, but despit e the limitations, the results are 
still conclusive.  
 
Recognizing NAFLD in earlier age, and therefore earlier stages of disease, allow earlier medical 
treatment and prevention of complication, not just end stage liver disease, but also other 
complications o f obesity and metabolic syndrome.  
 
My only suggestion would be assessment of sensitivity and specificity of CAP+NFLI/HSI  and 
US+NFLI/HSI in recognizing NFLD in children by using appropriate statistical tests,  and 
according to this results to define the g roup of patient to be referred to a tertiary healthcare 
facilities.  
 
Despite screening of NALD is still not established, this approach in paediatric practice could 
influence the epidemiological data in adult population, so further data and defining precise  cut-
off values are needed.  
  
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 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose 
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?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the  above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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