Hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver disease, is one of the most common reasons for abnormal liver function detected in blood tests. It arises from the accumulation of fat within liver cells. Fatty liver changes can result from excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and a poor diet. In cases where alcohol is not a contributing factor, the condition is known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
At times, fatty liver can progress to inflammation in the liver, a state known as Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). This condition can advance over the years to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Most children with fatty liver may not experience noticeable symptoms, but some might complain of fatigue or discomfort in the upper right abdomen. Fatty liver is occasionally detected in routine blood tests as mild liver dysfunction.
We recommend undergoing a liver ultrasound, and sometimes a liver biopsy might be necessary. If the tests raise suspicion of fatty liver, we suggest a series of additional tests to rule out other causes of liver impairment.
Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the condition, usually involving weight loss in cases of obesity and reducing alcohol consumption as needed. Emphasis should be placed on adopting an appropriate diet and engaging in aerobic exercise.