title: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a challenge for pediatricians.
abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and is considered the most common form of chronic liver disease in children. Several factors contribute to NAFLD development, including race/ethnicity, genetic factors, environmental exposures, and alterations in the gut microbiome. The histologic spectrum of NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis to the more aggressive nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis can develop from NAFLD during childhood. Diagnosing advanced disease is challenging and may require a liver biopsy, highlighting the urgent need for reliable, noninvasive markers of disease severity. The mainstay of treatment for NAFLD remains lifestyle modifications and weight loss. Probiotics and ω-3 fatty acids may ameliorate disease progression. Recent data have suggested that vitamin E may be considered as a NASH-specific therapy in children, and there are several ongoing human studies evaluating different therapeutic targets for NAFLD. We provide an up-to-date review of the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment to manage this common disease in children.
authors.affiliation: Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Italian Scientific Institute for Research and Care, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nobili
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Children's Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Naim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alkhouri
authors.affiliation: Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Italian Scientific Institute for Research and Care, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alisi
authors.affiliation: Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Italian Scientific Institute for Research and Care, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Della Corte
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Liver, Gastrointestinal, and Nutrition Centre, King's College London School of Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, England.
authors.forename: Emer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.affiliation: Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Italian Scientific Institute for Research and Care, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raponi
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Liver, Gastrointestinal, and Nutrition Centre, King's College London School of Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, England.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dhawan
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008019:Life Style; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010372:Pediatrics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers