How to manage childhood non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Question

Hello doctor,

My son is 13 years old. He has grade-1 fatty liver. SGPT 149 and SGOT 70. His cholesterol is also high at 230, and his triglyceride is 200, LDL 140, blood pressure around 150/87, but varies a lot and comes down to 125/80.

Pulse is always above 90. His height is around five feet seven inches, and his weight is 185 lbs, and look overweight. He exercises for around 45 minutes five days a week and eats junk food only twice a week. What should I do about the above?

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

All of these symptoms suggest metabolic-X syndrome. In the long run, if not controlled then there is a high risk of developing complications, like diabetes and heart problems.

The best suggestion I can give is to see a good endocrinologist and follow up with him, as he needs to be tested for hormones like cortisol, thyroid, androgens.

Cut back on junk, not even once a week. It is poison for him.

Continue exercise, fast walking, not jogging. With this weight, jogging can be harmful to joints. Anti-cholesterol medications are usually started after the age of 18 years. I would not recommend starting right away. Fatty liver grade 1 is totally reversible with weight management.

I would suggest doing a caloric count per day. Do not let him take 2000 calories a day. Everything more than that gets deposited in the form of fat. Use more proteins than carbohydrates.

Repeat the ultrasound liver in six months to see the resolution of fatty liver status.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.