Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver On the Rise in Children

Non-alcoholic fatty liver is on the rise in children, affecting around 1 in 10. This figure has doubled in 20 years. Alarming as it sounds, many children have been affected by the condition in India as well. Around 34% of the children with obesity have non-alcoholic fatty liver.

To get your child treated for the condition, you can contact a fatty liver specialist in Kolkata.

What is non-alcoholic fatty liver?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a condition where excess fat deposits in the liver. If the condition is left untreated then severe liver problems can develop such as fibrosis or cirrhosis. This can ultimately lead to liver cancer. There are two types of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).

One is a simple fatty liver disease where there is fat accumulation in the liver but no scarring, cell damage or inflammation present.

The other is known as NASH where there is an excess fat build up as well as inflammation and cell damage. In case this condition is not treated, it will scar the liver leading to inflammation and cell damage. Later in life, the child may develop liver cancer.

What causes fatty liver in children?

Fats are also known as triglycerides and they build up in the body because of poor eating habits and lifestyle habits. This condition develops more in boys than in girls and can occur in children as young as 10.

What are the risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Certain children are at risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver, especially Hispanic children. However, some of the other risk factors are:

• High cholesterol

• High triglycerides

• Insulin resistance

• Obesity

• Pre-diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes

Around 38% of the children who are obese have a likelihood of suffering from fatty liver disease. Genetics also plays a key role in the development of the disease.

What is the solution to the problem?

Doctors recommend that children should limit their consumption of sugars and salt. Instead, they should consume green vegetables and fresh fruits. Moreover, they should increase physical exercise and live an active life. There is no medication available for fatty liver, hence one has to resort to proper consumption of food and exercise.

What should a parent do?

Since it is difficult to even diagnose the disease at the beginning, parents can make sure their children lose weight and are not obese. There can be long-term problems like liver cancer.

Takeaway

The liver is the most vital organ of the body, it helps in clearing toxins and waste products, and provides immunity. In case the problem persists, there is no option except for liver transplantation.

• Parents need to be careful about their children’s diet and exercise. They need to be ready to say “no” to certain foods and certain activities.

• No medicine is available to turn back fatty liver.

• Fatty liver can open the door to type 2 diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

You can contact a fatty liver specialist Kolkata for more information.