Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is common and, for most people, causes no signs and symptoms and no complications.But in some people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the fat that accumulates can cause inflammation and scarring in the liver. This more serious form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is sometimes called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.NAFLD is estimated to occur in one-third of the general population in the US. The prevalence of NASH is more difficult to determine. It seems to occur in approximately 3% of the US population but may be found in more than 25% of obese persons.

Research is ongoing on many aspects of NAFLD, including pathophysiology and potential treatments. Additionally, multi-center pediatric trials are ongoing at the hospital, as part of the National Institutes of Health Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network.Tests and procedures used to diagnose nonalcoholic fatty liver disease include:
•Blood tests.
•Imaging procedures MRI.
•Liver tissue testing.