Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children

Brecelj, Jernej (author), Orel, Rok (author)

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is increasing. A lot of new data are published regularly. Materials and Methods: Original clinical studies, review articles, and guidelines in children were searched for and the most relevant included in this review. Results: A total of 138 retrieved papers were classified into pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Pathogenesis is currently explained with the "multi hit hypothesis", with complex interactions of genetic and environmental factors which trigger inflammation in steatotic liver. The prevalence is rising. A diagnosis can be made with laboratory tests, imaging, and liver biopsy after the exclusion of other causes of liver steatosis. The mainstay of treatment is lifestyle modification consisting of dietary intervention and increased physical activity. The progression to liver cirrhosis can occur even in children. Conclusions: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children is a part of a metabolic syndrome in the majority of patients. Due to its complex etiology and high prevalence, multidisciplinary teams, together with public health professionals, should be involved in its treatment.

• Language: English
• Keywords: pediatric fatty liver disease, diet, lifestyle modification, obesity, physical activity
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.02 - Review Article
• Organization: MF - Faculty of Medicine
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: 15 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 57, iss. 7, art. 719
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-136005
• UDC: 616-053.2
• ISSN on article: 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina57070719
• COBISS.SI-ID: 81204483
• Publication date in RUL: 06.04.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Medicina
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1648-9144
• COBISS.SI-ID: 6754623

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 16.07.2021

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: otroška maščobna jetrna bolezen, prehrana, sprememba življenjskega sloga