Abstract | BACKGROUND AND AIM:
Weight loss is an effective treatment for children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD), but it is extremely difficult to achieve outside of an intensive weight management program. We hypothesized that one can achieve success in improving NAFLD and weight-related outcomes in a structured and focused multidisciplinary clinical program feasible to implement in a gastroenterology clinic. METHODS: We prospectively tracked the clinical status of our patients enrolled in a multidisciplinary program of dietary and exercise advice through an institutional review board-approved NAFLD registry. Each patient met with a gastroenterologist and dietitian every 3 months for 30 minutes to set individualized goals and monitor progress. RESULTS: A total of 108 children have been enrolled in the registry, and of the 83 that were eligible for 1-year follow-up and included in the analysis, 39 patients returned, resulting in a 47% follow-up rate. These 39 patients showed statistically significant improvements in mean BMI z score (-0.1 U, P < 0.05), total (-11 mg/dL, P < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein (9 mg/dL, P < 0.05) cholesterol, and serum alanine aminotransferase levels (-36 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase levels (-22 U/L) levels. CONCLUSIONS: A clinically feasible multidisciplinary program for obese pediatric patients with NAFLD stabilized BMI z score and significantly improved aminotransferase levels at 1-year follow-up.
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Authors | Stephanie DeVore, Rohit Kohli, Kathleen Lake, Lynda Nicholas, Kim Dietrich, William F Balistreri, Stavra A Xanthakos |
Journal | Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
(J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr)
Vol. 57
Issue 1
Pg. 119-23
(Jul 2013)
ISSN: 1536-4801 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 23518484
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Body Mass Index
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cohort Studies
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Diet, Reducing
- Exercise
- Fatty Liver
(etiology, prevention & control)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Hospitals, Pediatric
- Humans
- Liver
(enzymology, physiopathology)
- Lost to Follow-Up
- Male
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Obesity
(blood, diet therapy, physiopathology, therapy)
- Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
- Patient Education as Topic
- Prospective Studies
- Registries
- Transaminases
(blood)
- Young Adult
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