Unmet needs in paediatric NAFLD research: what do we need to prioritise for the future?

Unmet needs in paediatric NAFLD research: what do we need to prioritise for the future? Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Aug 17;: Authors: Hatton G, Alterio T, Nobili V, Mann JP Abstract INTRODUCTION: Paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common disorder that has complex pathophysiology and unquantified clinical significance. Though there have been major advances in the field there is much yet to be understood. Areas covered: PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase were searched for articles related to paediatric NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis between January 1998 and January 2018. The areas considered to be "unmet needs" were: The relationship between the intestinal microbiome and perinatal events; clinical event risk stratification; and mechanisms underlying portal inflammation. Expert commentary: In utero and ex utero factors have been associated with NAFLD and also with the intestinal microbiome, but it is not yet known how intestinal dysbiosis can be reversed and whether intervention in high-risk neonates could alter their propensity for the metabolic syndrome. Children with NAFLD are at increased risk of cardiovascular, diabetic, and hepatic diseases, but it is unclear how best to stratify children into appropriate risk groups for targeted interventions. Finally, the immune processes underlying paediatric NASH are thought to differ to those in adult NASH, yet the events surrounding activation of periportal ly...
Source: Expert Review of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol Source Type: research