scholarly journals Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Children—From Atomistic to Holistic

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1866
Author(s):  
Cristina Oana Mărginean ◽  
Lorena Elena Meliț ◽  
Maria Oana Săsăran

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has become the most common chronic liver disease in children due to the alarmingly increasing incidence of pediatric obesity. It is well-documented that MAFLD prevalence is directly related to an incremental increase in BMI. The multiple hits theory was designed for providing insights regarding the pathogenesis of steatohepatitis and fibrosis in MAFLD. Recent evidence suggested that the microbiome is a crucial contributor in the pathogenesis of MAFLD. Aside from obesity, the most common risk factors for pediatric MAFLD include male gender, low-birth weight, family history of obesity, MAFLD, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and polycystic ovarium syndrome. Usually, pediatric patients with MAFLD have nonspecific symptoms consisting of fatigue, malaise, or diffuse abdominal pain. A wide spectrum of biomarkers was proposed for the diagnosis of MAFLD and NASH, as well as for quantifying the degree of fibrosis, but liver biopsy remains the key diagnostic and staging tool. Nevertheless, elastography-based methods present promising results in this age group as potential non-invasive replacers for liver biopsy. Despite the lack of current guidelines regarding MAFLD treatment in children, lifestyle intervention was proven to be crucial in the management of these patients.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) includes a spectrum of hepatic pathology that resembles alcoholinduced liver disease but develops in individuals who deny a significant history of alcohol ingestion. NAFLD comprises a wide spectrum of liver damage, ranging from simple macrovesicular steatosis to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevalence of NAFLD has doubled during last 20 years, whereas the prevalence of other chronic liver diseases has remained stable or even decreased. Moreover with increasing incidence and prevalence, the perception of NAFLD being a benign condition of little clinical significance is rapidly changing. Obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and dyslipidemia are predisposing factors for NAFLD. All these are directly linked with diet and lifestyle of an individual and hence preventable and modifiable. The study was conducted to identify the prevalence of NAFLD among the first degree relatives of a patient already diagnosed with NAFLD. The study demonstrated the increased prevalence of NAFLD among the family members. Further risk factor analysis in the study strengthened the role of diet and lifestyle in the etiology of NAFLD.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Tarantino ◽  
Vincenzo Citro ◽  
Carmine Finelli

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) are common conditions, frequently encountered in patients with obesity and/or metabolic syndrome. NAFLD and OSAS are complex diseases that involve an interaction of several intertwined factors. Several lines of evidence lend credence to an immune system derangement in these patients, i.e. the low grade chronic inflammation status, reckoned to be the most important factor in causing and maintaining these two illnesses. Furthermore, it is emphasized the main role of spleen involvement, as a novel mechanism. In this review the contribution of the visceral adiposity in both NAFLD and OSAS is stressed as well as the role of intermittent hypoxia. Finally, a post on the prevention of systemic inflammation is made.Abbreviations: ALT: alanine aminotransferase; BMI: body mass index; CCR2: chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2; CRP: C-reactive protein; CPAP: continuous positive airway pressure; FFA: free fatty acid; IGF-I: insulin-like growth factor; IR: insulin resistance; IL-6: interleukin-6; IH: intermittent hypoxia; IKK-β: IκB kinase β; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; MCP-1: monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; NAFLD: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; NASH: nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; NEFA: non-esterified fatty acid; NF-κB: nuclear factor-κB; OSAS: obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome; PAI-1: plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; ROS: reactive oxygen species; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α; T2D: type 2 diabetes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (32) ◽  
pp. 3928-3938
Author(s):  
Grazia Pennisi ◽  
Ciro Celsa ◽  
Antonina Giammanco ◽  
Federica Spatola ◽  
Salvatore Petta

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide, involving about 25% of people. NAFLD incorporates a large spectrum of pathological conditions, from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and its complications include hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This progression occurs, over many years, in an asymptomatic way, until advanced fibrosis appears. Thus, the differentiation of NASH from simple steatosis and identification of advanced hepatic fibrosis are key issues. To date, the histological assessment of fibrosis with liver biopsy is the gold standard, but obviously, invasiveness is the greater threshold. In addition, rare but potentially life-threatening complications, poor acceptability, sampling variability and cost maybe restrict its use. Furthermore, due to the epidemic of NAFLD worldwide and several limitations of liver biopsy evaluation, noninvasive assessment tools to detect fibrosis in NAFLD patients are needed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
pp. S-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shikha S. Sundaram ◽  
Jillian S. Sullivan ◽  
Ronald J. Sokol ◽  
Kristen N. Robbins ◽  
Kelley Capocelli ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahinul Alam ◽  
Mahabubul Alam ◽  
Sheikh Mohammad Noor E Alam ◽  
Ziaur Rahman Chowdhury ◽  
Jahangir Kabir

Fatty liver is a common cause of chronic liver disease in developed as well as developing countries.We have designed this study to estimate the prevalence and predictors for non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We have included 493 patients with sonographic evidence of fatty change in liver and 177 of them had done liver biopsy for histopathological study. Other causes of liver disease and alcohol consumption were excluded. Metabolic syndrome and biochemical and anthropometric evaluation was done. Females were predominating 250 (57.0 %). Centrally obese 422 (96.2 %) was more than over all obesity330 (75.1%). NASH was absent in 10 (5.6%) cases and diagnostic of NASH was 75 Journal of Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons Vol. 32, No. 2, April 2014 (42.4 %).Presence of diabetes could significantly (p = 0.001) predicted NASH. Age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, Serum HDL,triglyceride, insulin resistance index, hypertension, metabolic syndrome could not predict NASH. Serum GGT level was significantly (p = 0.05) higher in NASHwith a sensitivity of 45 % and specificity of 68 % only. Serum ALT and AST level could not detect NASH. Females were predominant sufferer of NAFLD in Bangladesh. Prevalence of NASH was much higher42.4%. Diabetes was the main predictor of NASH. GGT was the only biochemical indicator of NASH. We recommend liver biopsy in NAFLD with diabetes and raised GGT.J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2014; 32: 71-77


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