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Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Mann, Jake P 
Valenti, Luca 
Scorletti, Eleonora 
Byrne, Christopher D 
Nobili, Valerio 

Abstract

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is one of the most common hepatic diseases in children who present with particular risk factors including obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and/or a predisposing genetic background. The worldwide prevalence of NAFLD in children is a worrying phenomenon because this disease is closely associated with the development of both cirrhosis and cardiometabolic syndrome in adulthood. To date, the etiopathogenesis of primary NAFLD in children is unknown. Understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms provides the basis to characterize early predictors of the disease and noninvasive diagnostic tools and to design novel specific treatments and possible management strategies. Despite a few clinical trials on the use of antioxidants combined with lifestyle intervention for NAFLD, no treatment exists for children with NAFLD. In this review, the authors provide an overview of current concepts in epidemiology, histological features, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of NAFLD in pediatric population.

Description

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Age of Onset, Aged, Child, Child, Preschool, Comorbidity, Disease Progression, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Liver, Male, Middle Aged, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Pediatric Obesity, Prevalence, Prognosis, Risk Factors, Sedentary Behavior, Young Adult

Journal Title

Semin Liver Dis

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0272-8087
1098-8971

Volume Title

38

Publisher

Georg Thieme Verlag KG