[Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children and adolescents]

Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2013 Apr;56(4):517-27. doi: 10.1007/s00103-012-1639-4.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in children and adolescents in industrialized countries. Recent studies have demonstrated a prevalence rate of NAFLD in overweight and obese children and adolescents in Germany of up to 30%. The spectrum of NAFLD ranges from pure fatty infiltration (simple steatosis) to inflammation (steatohepatitis, synonymous NASH) to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Age, gender, ethnicity, insulin resistance, and sex steroids are implicated in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in childhood and adolescence. Moreover, NAFLD in the pediatric age group is associated with marked cardiovascular comorbidities. This review focuses on current data regarding epidemiology, pathophysiology, comorbidities, and treatment of NAFLD in children and adolescents.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Diet Therapy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Exercise Therapy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Fatty Liver / diagnosis*
  • Fatty Liver / epidemiology
  • Fatty Liver / therapy*
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Pediatric Obesity / diagnosis
  • Pediatric Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Pediatric Obesity / therapy*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome