Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease from childhood to adulthood: State of art and future directions

Interplay between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and renal function: An intriguing pediatric perspective

Over recent years, the nomenclature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has undergone significant changes. Indeed, in 2020, an expert consensus panel proposed the term "Metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease" (MAFLD) to underscore the close association of fatty liver with metabolic abnormalities, thereby highlighting the cardiometabolic risks (such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease) faced by these patients since childhood. More recently, this term has been further replaced with metabolic associated steatotic liver disease. It is worth noting that emerging evidence not only supports a close and independent association of MAFLD with chronic kidney disease in adults but also indicates its interplay with metabolic impairments. However, comparable pediatric data remain limited. Given the progressive and chronic nature of both diseases and their prognostic cardiometabolic implications, this editorial aims to provide a pediatric perspective on the intriguing relationship between MAFLD and renal function in childhood.

Complex correction of eating behaviour disorders, anthropometric and physiological indicators in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on the background of abdominal obesity

Purpose: to evaluate the effectiveness of correction of eating behaviour disorders, anthropometric, physiological indicators by impFreelementing combined non-drug treatment for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on the background of abdominal obesity. Material and methods 85 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on the background of abdominal obesity of the 1st degree were examined. All patients were divided into two clinical groups: 1st group (research) - 48 people, with average body mass index BMI=32.55±1.07 kg/m2, who underwent a course of cognitive behavioural therapy, diet therapy, and physical activity for 6 months; the control group - 37 people with average BMI=31.95±1.03 kg/m2 followed only a rational diet and physical activity, without cognitive behavioural therapy. The examination of the patients included the measurement of anthropometric and physiological indicators, questionnaires according to the DEBQ (Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire). Results On the 180th day, the number of patients with normal blood pressure in the 1st group increased in 2.38 times (D=2.3511, p=0.0015), healthy eating behavior was recorded in 2.38 times more often (D=0.2215, p=0.0047) and the number of restrictive type of EB decreased in 2.0 times (D=0.4321, p=0.0031), compared to the control group. Conclusion A combined course of therapy in the form of a rational diet, aerobic exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy should be an integral component of early non-drug treatment, as a guarantee not only of the correction of anthropometric and functional indicators, but also of the modification of the eating behavior and a guarantee of long-term maintenance of the desired weight.