Abstract
The aim of this review is to summarize what is known about pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in terms of prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, histology and treatment. NAFLD is increasingly recognized as a major health burden in obese children. NAFLD is a spectrum, ranging from fatty infiltration of the liver alone (steatosis), which may lead to fatty infiltration with inflammation known as steatohepatitis or non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that is characterized by the potential to progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and end stage liver disease. NASH is associated with obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia. While the majority of individuals with risk factors like obesity and insulin resistance (IR) have steatosis, only a minority develop steatohepatitis. Although steatosis is a prerequisite for the definition of NAFLD in adults and children, distinct differences are often apparent in the extent or location of fat, inflammation and fibrosis. Confirmation of the diagnosis of NAFLD can usually be achieved by imaging studies; however, staging the disease requires a liver biopsy. Current treatment relies on weight loss and exercise, although various insulin-sensitizing medications appear promising.
Keywords: Children, obesity, liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver, steatohepatitis
Current Nutrition & Food Science
Title: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children
Volume: 3 Issue: 2
Author(s): Papandreou Dimitrios, Rousso Israel and Mavromichalis Ioannis
Affiliation:
Keywords: Children, obesity, liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver, steatohepatitis
Abstract: The aim of this review is to summarize what is known about pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in terms of prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, histology and treatment. NAFLD is increasingly recognized as a major health burden in obese children. NAFLD is a spectrum, ranging from fatty infiltration of the liver alone (steatosis), which may lead to fatty infiltration with inflammation known as steatohepatitis or non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that is characterized by the potential to progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and end stage liver disease. NASH is associated with obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia. While the majority of individuals with risk factors like obesity and insulin resistance (IR) have steatosis, only a minority develop steatohepatitis. Although steatosis is a prerequisite for the definition of NAFLD in adults and children, distinct differences are often apparent in the extent or location of fat, inflammation and fibrosis. Confirmation of the diagnosis of NAFLD can usually be achieved by imaging studies; however, staging the disease requires a liver biopsy. Current treatment relies on weight loss and exercise, although various insulin-sensitizing medications appear promising.
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Cite this article as:
Dimitrios Papandreou, Israel Rousso and Ioannis Mavromichalis, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children, Current Nutrition & Food Science 2007; 3 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157340107780598690
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157340107780598690 |
Print ISSN 1573-4013 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3881 |
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