Serum Adiponectin, Vitamin D, and Alpha-Fetoprotein in Children with Chronic Hepatitis C: Can They Predict Treatment Response?

Figure 2

Comparison of pretreatment factors between responders and nonresponders. Box-and-whiskers plot for serum adiponectin, vitamin D, and AFP. The number indicated on the box represents mean ± standard deviation. (a) Adiponectin was significantly () higher in responders ( ng/mL, range; 5.68–16.68 ng/mL) than nonresponders ( ng/mL, range; 4.4–11.67 ng/mL). (b) Vitamin D was insignificantly () higher in responders ( ng/mL, range; 4.9–202.4 ng/mL) than nonresponders ( ng/mL, range; 11.1–196 ng/mL). (c) AFP was significantly () lower in responders ( ng/mL, range; 2.18–4.7 ng/mL) than nonresponders ( ng/mL, range; 3–22.6 ng/mL). (d) Viremia was significantly () lower in responders ( IU/mL, range; 8.04 × 10³–4.96 × 10⁶ IU/mL) than nonresponders ( IU/mL, range; 3.29 × 10⁴–6.24 × 10⁶ IU/mL).

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