Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by more than 5% fat accumulation in hepatocytes, has the potential to advance to fibrosis or cirrhosis in future. Its prevalence is drastically increasing in adolescents due to an increase in obesity prevalence. And Fatty liver remains the most frequent indication for liver transplantation in adults.

A study recognized anthropometric variables during the first 10 years of life that may increase the risk of developing NAFLD in adolescence.

513 children were included in the study, all of whose yearly anthropometric data were collected over 10 years. Abdominal ultrasonography was utilized to detect the presence of intrahepatic fat in the livers of subjects 14 to 16 years of age. Also, all participants with ultrasound evidence of NAFLD were subjected to elastography investigation.

The following observations were made-

• 7% of the participants had findings indicating NAFLD. 
• After 2 years of age, Obesity was greatly linked with increasing the probability of NAFLD initiation in adolescence. 
• At 5 years of age, Obesity demonstrated the highest OR for NAFLD, acquiring values of 8.91. 
• Subjects with NAFLD and with altered liver elasticity (≥7 kPa) showed greater weight, BMI z-score, waist and hip circumference, and altered liver enzymes.

Thus it was concluded that the risk of developing NAFLD in adolescence increases gradually with early obesity starting at 2 years of age.

Source: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2020;70(1) :93-98. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002523