The Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Fibrosis Index of Nobili et al (PNFI)

 

Patient selection: pediatric patient with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis <= 18 years of age

 

Parameters:

(1) age in years

(2) waist circumference in centimeters

(3) serum triglycerides in mg/dL

 

X =

= (0.207 * (waist in cm)) – (6.539 * LN(age)) + (1.957 * LN(serum triglycerides)) – 10.074

 

where:

• LN = natural logarithm

 

probability =

= 1 / (1 + EXP((-1) * X))

 

PNFI = pediatric NAFLD fibrosis index =

= 10 * (probability)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum PNFI: 0

• maximum PNFI: 10

• The higher the PNFI the greater the risk of hepatic fibrosis.

• A PNFI >= 9.0 can be used to diagnose hepatic fibrosis without a liver biopsy (positive predictive value 98.5).