Special Issue "Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease"

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2017)

Special Issue Editor

Guest Editor
Dr. Lucia Pacifico

Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
Website | E-Mail
Phone: +39 06 4997 9215
Fax: +39 06 4997 9216
Interests: pediatric gastroenterology; pediatric liver diseases; nutrition and metabolism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Paralleling the worldwide epidemic of obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children. It is now clear that NAFLD is not only a risk factor for liver failure and liver carcinoma, but also it is associated with a spectrum of extrahepatic diseases traditionally linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS) such as type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Non-invasive biomarkers are needed to identify individuals with progressive liver injury. Targeted therapies to improve liver histology and metabolic abnormalities associated with fatty liver are needed. Currently, randomized-controlled trials are underway in the pediatric population to define pharmacologic therapy for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Public health awareness and intervention are needed to promote healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications to prevent and reduce the burden of disease in the community. We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand natural history, genetic modifiers and the pathogenesis of NAFLD, as well as the biological mechanisms by which NAFLD influences the risk of extra-hepatic diseases.

Dr. Lucia Pacifico
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) is waived for well-prepared manuscripts submitted to this issue. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • NAFLD
  • NASH
  • cardiovascular disease and risk
  • children
  • clinical trials
  • diagnosis
  • genetics
  • epidemiology
  • gut microbiota
  • insulin resistance
  • metabolic syndrome
  • natural history
  • type 2 diabetes

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle Natural History of NAFLD Diagnosed in Childhood: A Single-Center Study
by , , , , , , , and
Children 2017, 4(5), 34; doi:10.3390/children4050034
Received: 13 March 2017 / Revised: 13 April 2017 / Accepted: 26 April 2017 / Published: 3 May 2017
Cited by 1 | PDF Full-text (1112 KB) | HTML Full-text | XML Full-text | Supplementary Files
Abstract
Little is known regarding the subsequent course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosed in childhood. The objectives of this single-center study were to gather data on long-term health outcomes and to assess the feasibility of contacting former pediatric patients. In a large
[...] Read more.
Little is known regarding the subsequent course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosed in childhood. The objectives of this single-center study were to gather data on long-term health outcomes and to assess the feasibility of contacting former pediatric patients. In a large pediatric medical center, electronic records were searched to initially identify 162 former patients who had a liver biopsy between 2000 and 2010. Of these, 44 subjects met the criteria for age at follow-up (≥18 year) and biopsy-proven NAFLD, and were recruited via postal and electronic mail. Participants were invited to complete a brief telephone survey on current health status. Supplemental data was also obtained from pediatric medical charts of all subjects. At NAFLD diagnosis, 18% of subjects had diabetes, 91% were obese, 61% had NASH, and 56% had fibrosis on biopsy. At follow-up, 10 subjects (23%) responded to the survey. Based on the survey and chart review, after a mean follow-up of 4.5 years, 5 additional subjects developed diabetes for a period prevalence of 30%, and most subjects (78%) remained obese at last follow-up. Additional prospective studies are needed to fully describe the longitudinal risks associated with pediatric NAFLD, and will require multi-dimensional strategies to successfully recruit former patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
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Review

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Open AccessReview The Association between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Risk in Children
by , and
Children 2017, 4(7), 57; doi:10.3390/children4070057
Received: 28 April 2017 / Revised: 28 June 2017 / Accepted: 3 July 2017 / Published: 7 July 2017
PDF Full-text (170 KB) | HTML Full-text | XML Full-text
Abstract
The rising prevalence of childhood obesity in the past decades has made Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) the most common cause of pediatric chronic liver disease worldwide. Currently, a growing body of evidence links NAFLD with cardiovascular disease (CVD) even at an early
[...] Read more.
The rising prevalence of childhood obesity in the past decades has made Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) the most common cause of pediatric chronic liver disease worldwide. Currently, a growing body of evidence links NAFLD with cardiovascular disease (CVD) even at an early age. Data on the pediatric population have shown that NAFLD could represent an independent risk factor not only for cardiovascular events but also for early subclinical abnormalities in myocardial structure and function. Briefly, we review the current knowledge regarding the relationship between pediatric NAFLD and cardiovascular risk in an attempt to clarify our understanding of NAFLD as a possible cardiovascular risk factor in childhood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
Open AccessReview The Association between Pediatric NAFLD and Common Genetic Variants
by , and
Children 2017, 4(6), 49; doi:10.3390/children4060049
Received: 31 March 2017 / Revised: 14 June 2017 / Accepted: 15 June 2017 / Published: 18 June 2017
PDF Full-text (1193 KB) | HTML Full-text | XML Full-text
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of obesity. Several studies have shown that genetic predisposition probably plays an important role in its pathogenesis. In fact, in the last few years a large number of genetic studies have
[...] Read more.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of obesity. Several studies have shown that genetic predisposition probably plays an important role in its pathogenesis. In fact, in the last few years a large number of genetic studies have provided compelling evidence that some gene variants, especially those in genes encoding proteins regulating lipid metabolism, are associated with intra-hepatic fat accumulation. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the gene variants that have affected the natural history of the disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
Open AccessReview Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
by , and
Children 2017, 4(6), 48; doi:10.3390/children4060048
Received: 1 May 2017 / Revised: 5 June 2017 / Accepted: 7 June 2017 / Published: 9 June 2017
PDF Full-text (214 KB) | HTML Full-text | XML Full-text
Abstract
Abstract: With the increase in the prevalence of obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become among the leading causes of chronic liver disease in the pediatric age group. Once believed to be a “two-hit process”, it is now clear that the
[...] Read more.
Abstract: With the increase in the prevalence of obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become among the leading causes of chronic liver disease in the pediatric age group. Once believed to be a “two-hit process”, it is now clear that the actual pathophysiology of NAFLD is complex and involves multiple pathways. Moreover, NAFLD is not always benign, and patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are at increased risk of developing advanced stages of liver disease. It has also been shown that NAFLD is not only a liver disease, but is also associated with multiple extrahepatic manifestations, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and low bone mineral density. Although the data is scarce in the pediatric population, some studies have suggested that long-term mortality and the requirement of liver transplantation will continue to increase in patients with NAFLD. More studies are needed to better understand the natural history of NAFLD, especially in the pediatric age group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
Open AccessReview The Role of Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism in Non‐Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
by , , , and
Children 2017, 4(6), 46; doi:10.3390/children4060046
Received: 28 April 2017 / Revised: 29 May 2017 / Accepted: 30 May 2017 / Published: 6 June 2017
PDF Full-text (1270 KB) | HTML Full-text | XML Full-text
Abstract
Due to the epidemic of obesity across the world, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most prevalent chronic liver disorders in children and adolescents. NAFLD comprises a spectrum of fat-associated liver conditions that can result in end-stage liver disease
[...] Read more.
Due to the epidemic of obesity across the world, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most prevalent chronic liver disorders in children and adolescents. NAFLD comprises a spectrum of fat-associated liver conditions that can result in end-stage liver disease and the need for liver transplantation. Simple steatosis, or fatty liver, occurs early in NAFLD and may progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanism of the liver injury in NAFLD is currently thought to be a “multiple-hit process” where the first “hit” is an increase in liver fat, followed by multiple additional factors that trigger the inflammatory activity. At the onset of disease, NAFLD is characterized by hepatic triglyceride accumulation and insulin resistance. Liver fat accumulation is associated with increased lipotoxicity from high levels of free fatty acids, free cholesterol and other lipid metabolites. As a consequence, mitochondrial dysfunction with oxidative stress and production of reactive oxygen species and endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated mechanisms, are activated. The present review focuses on the relationship between intra-cellular lipid accumulation and insulin resistance, as well as on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in NAFLD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
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