Background. Measurements of anthropometric parameters are widely used in clinical practice as a convenient index of intraabdominal fat. The paper is aimed to reveal correlations between ultrasound measurement of intraabdominal depth (IAAT) and selected anthropometric and biochemical parameters in childhood. Methods and Results. In 69 obese children (38 boys,BMI 28.3±3.2, aged 12.8±0,52 and 31 girls withBMI 27.4±5.02, 12.4±0.51), anthropometry, IAAT and laboratory tests were evaluated. Height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, 10 skinfolds and blood pressure were measured. Blood glucose, uric acid, lipids, inzulín and C-peptide levels were determined. Pearson’s partial correlation coefficients after adjusting for age were calculated. In boys, the following significant correlations of IAAT were revealed: with BMI (r=0.44, p<0.06), chest (r=0.45, p<0.005) and hip (r=0.65, p<0.0001) circumferences, waist/hip ratio (WHR, r=0.61, p≤0.0001), subscapular (r=0.45, p≤0.005), axillary (r=0.55, p<0.0004), suprailiac (r=0.51, p≤0.001) and abdominal (r=0.54, p=0.0004) skinfolds. However, among biochemical indexes only triglyceride level was associated with IAAT (r=0.41, p≤0.01). In girls, the following significant correlations of IAAT were observed: with BMI (r=0.42, p≤0.01), chest (r=0.42, p≤0.01) and waist (r=0.46, p<0.009) circumferences, subscapular (r=0.46, p<0.009) and abdominal (r=0.52, p<0.003) skinfolds. In girls, no significant correlation of IAAT with WHR and metabolic parameters was found. Conclusions. IAAT in children is associated with anthropometric indexes of body fat distribution and in boys also with serum triglyceride level.

        Key words: obesity, visceral fat, metabolic complications, antropometric parameters, ultrasonography of intraabdominal depth.