title: Paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a practical overview for non-specialists.
abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common paediatric liver disease with a prevalence of almost 10%; therefore, the majority of affected patients are under the care of general practitioners and non-specialists. The condition is caused by central obesity with insulin resistance with additional factors influencing inflammatory activity (steatohepatitis). Ongoing inflammation leads to fibrosis and end-stage liver disease, though this will usually occur after children have transitioned into adult care. However, their main morbidity and mortality is from type 2 diabetes and complications of atherosclerosis. The minority of children undergo biopsy but currently there is no other method to accurately assess the stage of disease. Management is focused at weight loss through a combination of diet and exercise. Here, we present a current review of paediatric NAFLD aimed at non-specialists, with practice points for implementation.
authors: Department of paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Jake P
authors: JP
authors: Mann
authors: Children's unit, Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon, UK.
authors: Rajiv
authors: R
authors: Goonetilleke
authors: Liver unit, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors: Pat
authors: P
authors: McKiernan
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Diabetes; Endocrinology; Hepatology; Metabolic; Obesity