When it comes to fatty liver disease, most people think of obese adults and middle-aged individuals. However, did you know that children as young as three or four years old can also develop fatty liver disease? This is precisely why pediatric fatty liver is often overlooked.

Nowadays, fatty liver disease is no longer exclusive to adults. Children have also become part of the patient population, and this group is gradually expanding!

I. What are the causes of fatty liver disease in children

1. With economic growth and improved living standards, children's living conditions have become increasingly better. However, this has also led to a rise in unhealthy dietary habits, such as high-fat, low-protein diets, excessive consumption of unhealthy snacks, lack of physical exercise and activity, picky eating, loss of appetite, or diets deficient in B vitamins, particularly vitamin B1. These factors contribute to the growing prevalence of fatty liver disease in children.

2. Currently, it has been found that the most common cause of fatty liver in children is unreasonable diet, namely nutritional excess leading to obesity, which in turn causes fatty liver. 20%-30% of excessively obese children have varying degrees of fatty liver.

Furthermore, investigations have revealed that most excessively obese children (65%-80%) prefer meat-based diets and consume large amounts of food, while others have a preference for sweets.

II. What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease in children

1. Most children show no symptoms and are typically diagnosed incidentally through abnormal liver enzyme tests. Even when symptoms are present, they are often nonspecific, such as fatigue, weakness, and discomfort in the upper right abdomen.

2. Most children have concurrent obesity or have experienced rapid increases in body weight and waist circumference recently. They may also present with impaired glucose tolerance (10%), type 2 diabetes (2%), as well as transient hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

3. Children typically have a family history of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes. Common physical examination findings include hepatomegaly (50%) and acanthosis nigricans (30-50%), and the quality of life in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is usually significantly lower than that of their peers.

III. How is fatty liver disease treated in children

1. In daily life, attention should be paid to the rationality of dietary structure. Consume more protein-rich foods such as milk, fish, and soy products, and try to minimize the intake of pork and beef foods, in order to protect and promote the recovery and regeneration of damaged liver cells.

2. Restrict total dietary calories, mainly controlling the intake of carbohydrates and fats, because when these nutrients exceed caloric and metabolic needs, they will be converted into fat and stored.

Under the guidance of a doctor, adjust the child's dietary structure and correct the child's unhealthy eating and living habits. The basic principle is "one appropriate, two lows," meaning appropriate protein, low sugar, and low fat. The diet should mainly be light, not overly full, with more fresh vegetables and fruits, and control the total daily caloric intake.

Adequate, high-quality sleep is also very important, as during sleep, liver cells receive more blood, oxygen, and nutrient supply, which helps in the recovery of fatty liver cells.

3. Attention should be paid to ensuring an adequate supply of vitamins, especially vitamin B complex and vitamin C. Consume more fresh vegetables and fruits with low sugar content, such as celery, spinach, cucumbers, winter melon, bamboo shoots, and tomatoes.

4. Increase children's physical exercise, with special emphasis on physical activity and exercise for obese children. Encourage children to engage in outdoor activities regularly, aiming for at least one hour of aerobic exercise each day, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or jump rope, to burn off excess energy.

Health issues that are often overlooked—be sure to stay vigilant after reading this!