Fatty liver disease in children and what parents need to know

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Truong Thanh Tam - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Fatty liver disease is a very common disease in middle-aged and elderly people. But that does not mean that this pathology is not acquired in other ages. In particular, fatty liver disease can occur in children, making many parents surprised when they receive the conclusion from the doctor.

1. What is fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver is a condition in which the liver has too much fat accumulated, the amount of fat in the liver in normal people is very low, about 2-4% of the weight of the liver. When the amount of fat in the liver accounts for 5-10% of the weight of the liver, the patient will have fatty liver.

2. Why do children get fatty liver?

For children, there are many causes of fatty liver disease, some of which also stem from the children's daily habits without parents knowing. The following are the most common causes of fatty liver in children today:

Gan nhiễm mỡ — Có nhiều nguyên nhân dẫn đến gan nhiễm mỡ ở trẻ em

2.1 Overweight and obesity

This is the most recognized cause, most cases of metabolic fatty liver in children stem from the child's overweight or obese state. Especially children are in the period of the strongest growth and development, this period is also the period when fat grows fastest.
Without proper care in terms of diet and nutrition, children are easily overweight and obese, thereby increasing the risk of fatty liver disease.

2.2 Genetic factors

Currently, a number of studies have shown that genetic factors have a great impact on liver damage. In particular, the body of children with fatty liver disease has a few susceptibility genes related to fatty liver disease. This is often seen in twins with metabolic fatty liver or in obese children whose parents have obesity or fatty liver.

Phenylceton niệu là một bệnh di truyền — Di truyền là một trong nhiều nguyên nhân khiến trẻ em bị gan nhiễm mỡ

2.3 Drug poisoning

When drug poisoning, fat can accumulate in liver cells and cause fatty liver. Some drugs contain toxins such as carbon tetrachloride, phosphorus, tetracycline,...

2.4 Causes of food

According to statistics, children who have a habit of eating foods that are high in saturated fat, sugar or preservatives are very susceptible to trans fatty liver. The argument for this is that the percentage of bacteria (Gram negative) will increase much if there are these substances in the daily diet.
This type of bacteria will produce molecules that cause local inflammation and spread to particles in the blood, muscle, adipose tissue, ... quickly, eventually causing fatty liver and damage.

Giải thích thế nào cho trẻ về béo phì? — Chế độ ăn uống nhiều đường khiến trẻ tăng nguy cơ mắc bệnh gan nhiễm mỡ

2.5 Some chronic diseases

Some chronic metabolic diseases are also causes of fatty liver in children. These diseases will cause children to lose appetite, eat erratically, lose weight suddenly, the amount of energy provided to the body is not enough to satisfy the needs, .. At this time, body fat will be stimulated and begin to start. broken down into fatty acids and transported to the liver. However, the liver cannot convert all these fatty acids into energy, so the excess fat will be deposited causing fatty liver. Some metabolic diseases can include pulmonary tuberculosis ; osteomyelitis; severe anemia; chronic diarrhea ; diabetes ;...

3. Signs of a child with fatty liver

Not only in children, but the signs of fatty liver in adults are also difficult to detect. They are often confused with many other diseases. However, we can still pay attention to the following prominent signs and take the child to see a doctor promptly:
The child's weight exceeds 20% of the standard level, at this time the child is overweight, obese and more likely to have a fatty liver. Children often have indigestion, bloating, flatulence, weight loss,...

Bệnh nhân sẽ sụt cân khi nuôi ăn qua ống thông — Thừa cân béo phì là nguyên nhân khiến trẻ bị gan nhiễm mỡ

4. What should parents do when their children have fatty liver?

When children have fatty liver, parents can apply some of the following methods to best support the treatment of this disease:

4.1 Adjusting the child's diet

This is the first thing that parents need to do if a child has fatty liver, especially in the case of a child with fatty liver due to being overweight or obese. Parents need to consult a doctor to get a scientific diet for their children.
In which, green vegetables, fruits, vitamins and minerals to strengthen the body's resistance and recover from damage in the liver faster. At the same time, children also need to avoid animal fats, confectionery, fatty foods, animal organs,...

Ăn nhiều rau xanh giúp phòng tránh nhồi máu cơ tim — Bổ sung rau xanh vào chế độ ăn uống giúp cải thiện tình trạng gan nhiễm mỡ của trẻ

4.2 Strengthening sports practice

This way helps children strengthen their resistance, limit the risk of obesity and improve fatty liver.

4.3 Eat and sleep on time

Children with fatty liver in particular and children in development in general need to be established a habit of eating on time. Parents should avoid giving their children late-night meals because they are not good for the liver and digestive system.

Ăn đúng giờ — Ba mẹ nên tập cho trẻ ăn uống đúng giờ

4.4 Periodic health check

Not only children with fatty liver, regular health checks are necessary for everyone. When it comes to the child's follow-up appointment, parents should bring the child to the right appointment so that the doctor can check the child's medical condition to make the most appropriate changes in the child's treatment regimen.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is providing a service package of General Health Examination for Children. The baby will be comprehensively examined from eyes, teeth, blood pressure, weight to necessary tests, combined with diagnostic imaging, nutritional assessment. The examination package helps you check your baby's overall health, screen for symptoms for early detection and treatment if needed.

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Chủ đề: khám sức khỏe tổng quát Gan nhiễm mỡ trẻ em Bệnh lý gan Gan nhiễm mỡ Thừa cân béo phì