Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent chronic liver disease that occurs in the setting of insulin resistance and increased adiposity. It is thought to be the hepatic manifestation of more widespread metabolic dysfunction. NAFLD is also associated with dyslipidaemia and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A “multiple-hit” pathogenic model has been suggested to explain the progressive liver damage that occurs among children with NAFLD. The mainstay of NAFLD therapy is lifestyle interventions which aim to improve obesity. Effective pharmacological treatments are still under development. Bariatric surgery may have a role in treating morbid obesity. In this article, we briefly review the currently available knowledge on NAFLD.