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Digestive Health & Nutrition in Children

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You are here: Home / Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Fatty liver disease in children, known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a slow process that occurs over time as fat accumulates in the liver. Initially, children have fat build up in the liver, and over time the excess fat leads to damage of the liver, then scarring or fibrosis of the liver, and eventually cirrhosis or a non-functioning liver. A child can develop cirrhosis of the liver from excess fat in a similar way that an adult can develop cirrhosis from excess alcohol intake.

Fatty liver disease happens in children who are overweight, obese, or who gain too much weight. Fatty liver disease does NOT occur because of too much fat intake, but because of excessive sugar intake. The average child consumes three to four times the amount of sugar their body requires. Before sugar enters the bloodstream from the digestive tract, it is broken down into glucose and fructose.

  • Glucose is found in every living cell, and if we do not get it from the diet, our bodies produce it.
  • Fructose is different. Our bodies do not produce any significant amount of fructose because there is no physiological need for it. Fructose can only be metabolized by the liver. This is not a problem if we eat a small amount of fructose, such as from fruit. Eating extra fructose will overload the liver and force the liver to turn the fructose into fat. Repeatedly eating large amounts of sugar will lead to fatty liver disease.

Symptoms of Fatty Liver DiseaseHealthy-vs-Fatty-Liver

The symptoms of fatty liver disease vary depending on the stage of the child’s disease. Some symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Increased liver enzyme levels in the blood

Diagnosis of Fatty Liver Disease

To diagnose if your child has fatty liver disease, the following tests may be performed:

  • Blood tests including liver enzymes
  • Liver ultrasound
  • Liver biopsy

Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease

American Liver Foundation

There is currently no proven medicine to treat fatty liver disease in children. Children benefit most from stopping their weight gain and, in some cases, losing weight. Children and their families should follow key healthy nutrition and diet behaviors:

  • Avoiding sugary drinks
  • Having 60 minutes of some form of physical activity every day, such as playing outside
  • Limiting TV and screen time to one hour or less per day
  • Making half the mealtime plates filled with vegetables
  • Not skipping meals

If you would like more information about gastrointestinal (GI) digestive disorders and nutrition in children, please contact Dr. Mona Dave’s Plano Office or Southlake Office.

Digestive Health & Nutrition in Children

Southlake and plano office

Our offices are conveniently located in Frisco and Southlake, TX. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of patient care. Dr. Dave and her staff work extremely hard to streamline the referral process, expedite appointment scheduling, and promptly respond to patient calls. Her practice offers a pure pediatric environment. A pediatric trained professional handles … Dr. Manisha "Mona" Dave

MOM-APPROVED DOCTOR – DFW CHILD MAGAZINE

Manisha “Mona” Harpavat Dave, MD Pediatric Gastroenterologist Digestive Health & Nutrition in Children Diplomate Certification in Pediatric Gastroenterology Diplomate, American Board of Pediatrics Awards and Honors          Scientific Research Frisco Office 13192 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 610 Frisco, TX 75034 Phone: 972-265-8222 Southlake Office 505 … Dr. Mona Dave

Belly Pain in Kids

Abdominal pain in kids

Abdominal (belly) pain in children is a common condition and, while not generally a serious problem, one that can cause considerable discomfort. Approximately 30% of children visit a doctor due to abdominal pain by age 15, and 10-15% of school aged children report recurring abdominal pain. Because abdominal pain can have a wide variety of causes, diagnosis can often be … Belly Pain

Celiac Disease in Children

Celiac disease (CD, Celiac Sprue, Gluten Intolerance) in children tends to have digestive disorders that may result in growth problems. Celiac disease prevents the body from absorbing essential nutrients (nutrient malabsorption) resulting in diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal distention, failure to thrive and muscle wasting. Celiac disease in teenagers may not occur … Celiac Disease

Video Gallery

Image Gallery Dr. Mona Dave's image gallery contains a sampling of images displayed … Video

PEDIATRIC GI BLOG

Information About Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

What is IBS? IBS is a group of symptoms that occur together, including repeated pain in your … Pediatric GI News

World Hepatitis Day is July 28, 2022

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Most cases of hepatitis are caused by a … Pediatric GI News

I Go Bananas for Ice Cream!

This summer is REALLY hot in Dallas and nothing taste better than a cold treat!  The smooth … Pediatric GI News

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Digestive Health & Nutrition

Manisha “Mona” Dave, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Texas Digestive Disease Consultants
 

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13192 Dallas Pkwy Ste 610
Frisco, TX 75034

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505 South Nolen Drive
Southlake, TX 76092

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