About Fatty Liver Disease in Children
-
Symptoms
-
Fatty liver is known as a silent killer with few initial symptoms. The symptoms of fatty liver disease are the same in children as in adults. As the disease progresses, you may see:
Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
Fatigue/lethargy
Abdominal pain
Increasing abdominal girth
Decreased appetite
Weight loss
Confusion (secondary to increased blood ammonia)
Unusual bleeding
Cirrhosis, which may lead to the need for a liver transplant
Diagnosis
-
Your health care provider will diagnose fatty liver disease based on the following:
Blood tests--usually a child has had a routine blood test for some other issue that has incidentally shown elevated liver enzymes and will need for further testing
Physical examination and history
X-rays and ultrasound--shows fat or enlarged liver
Liver Biopsy (definitive)-- a biopsy needle is inserted into the liver and a sample is taken. Under microscope, the liver sample will show fat with inflammation.
Causes
-
Exact causes of fatty liver disease in children are not known, but it is suspected that obesity, insulin resistance and a decrease in antioxidants may play a role. "The most common serious consequence of childhood obesity is fatty liver disease, and more than one million kids have it," said Jeffrey Schwimmer, MD, from Children's Hospital and Health Center and the Weight and Wellness Center, both in San Diego, California. "I think this is an under-recognized disease by pediatricians and the general public. All obese children should be screened."
Treatment
-
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the progression of this disease can take years, even decades. The process can stop and, in some cases, reverse on its own without specific therapy.
There are no specific therapies for pediatric fatty liver. The National Institutes of Health recommends:
Weight reduction (if obese or overweight)
Follow a balanced and healthy diet
Increase physical activity
Avoid unnecessary medications
The treatment for advanced liver failure is liver transplantation.
Prevention
-
You must be proactive in deterring this disease. Although the causes are not definitive, obesity seems to rank on top. Help your child change his lifestyle by becoming an example. Slowly phase out things like:
Too much television and video games
Too many snacks
Late bedtimesGently phase in:
Family exercise, like walking
Healthier dietSet goals with your children to help them lead healthier, longer and more productive lives.
-