Research Article Details
Article ID: | A07205 |
PMID: | 32583813 |
Source: | Am J Case Rep |
Title: | Cirrhosis in a Young Child Due to Fatty Liver; Importance of Early Screening: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the presence of chronic hepatic steatosis in the absence of infections, steatogenic medication use, metabolic/genetic disorders, malnutrition, or ethanol consumption. NAFLD encompasses a spectrum of liver damage varying from non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) on the most clinically benign end of the spectrum to cirrhosis on the opposite extreme, where most liver-related morbidity and mortality occurs. CASE REPORT We report a case of a 9-year-old boy with history of obesity (BMI 32.1 kg/m² - 99th percentile) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, who was referred to our pediatric gastroenterology clinic with a 1-week history of vomiting and right upper-quadrant abdominal pain. A review of the past medical history revealed transaminitis for the last 4 years and a dietary regimen for the last 2 years with poor compliance and follow-up. An extensive workup revealed an SGPT of 327 unit/L, SGOT 186 unit/L, and triglycerides of 208 mg/dL; infectious, metabolic, genetic, and autoimmune etiologies were ruled-out. The median liver stiffness measured by Fibroscan was 14 kPa, consistent with F4 fibrosis, and the cap median value was 271 dB/mW, reflective of S2 steatosis. An ultrasound-guided core liver biopsy revealed steatohepatitis with bridging and encircling fibrosis consistent with early/evolving cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS Although cirrhosis is rarely seen in pediatric patients with NAFLD, it should always be considered. Secondly, Fibroscan, a non-invasive imaging procedure, is a useful tool to assess the level of fibrosis and steatosis in patients with NAFLD; early evaluation of our patient could potentially have limited the progression to cirrhosis. |
DOI: | 10.12659/AJCR.923250 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
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S03 | Anti-fibrosis | fibrosis | Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB); CCR2/CCR5 antagonist; Thyroid receptor β agonist; PEGylated human FGF21 analogue; Monoclonal antibody to lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2); Galectin-3 inhibitor; FGF19 variant | Losartan; Cenicriviroc; VK-2809; MGL-3196; Pegbelfermin; Simtuzumab; GR-MD-02; NGM282 | Details |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name |
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Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D545 | Pig placenta extract | Biological extract | -- | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D316 | S-adenosyl-L-methionine | Chemical drug | DB00118 | GNMT cofactor | Antiviral | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |