Overview of updated practice guidelines for pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a form of chronic liver disease that is characterized by excessive fatty infiltration of the liver in the absence of significant alcohol consumption. As in the adult population, the etiology of NAFLD in children has been attributed to genetic predilection, insulin resistance, and obesity. The prevalence of NAFLD in the pediatric population has consistently increased over the past few decades, and it is currently considered the most common chronic liver disease in children. With increasing disease prevalence, NAFLD diagnosis and management have become more challenging. New guidelines for the management of pediatric NAFLD were published in 2017 by the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Additionally, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases updated their guidelines on NAFLD and included a section dedicated to the pediatric population. This article provides an overall description of the burden and natural history of pediatric NAFLD, with a focus on diagnosis and management in light of the recently updated guidelines.