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30 August 2021: Review Articles

A Review of the Increasing Prevalence of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) in Children and Adolescents Worldwide and in Mexico and the Implications for Public Health

Mariana M. Ramírez-Mejía 12ABCDEF , Luis E. Díaz-Orozco 23ABCDEF , Beatriz Barranco-Fragoso 4AEF , Nahum Méndez-Sánchez 23ACD*

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.934134

Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e934134

Figure 1 Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in children and adolescents: risk, diagnosis, and holistic treatment assessment model. Phase I in this context: it is highly recommended that first-contact clinicians or pediatricians caring for children and adolescents in the community assess the individual risk of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and highlight activities that help to prevent it. Phase II: if the individual risk for each child/adolescent patient is high (multiple risk factors), referral to a specialist in pediatric hepatology, gastroenterology, or endocrinology, as well as MAFLD screening and diagnostic tests, should not be delayed. Further, if a MAFLD diagnosis is made, MAFLD phenotype and comorbidities must be assessed. Phase III: in this stage, after MAFLD initial assessment, non-pharmacological therapies (nutritional, physical, and psychological approaches) should be introduced based on individual objectives for weight loss and physical activity. If medications are indicated by the severity of liver disease (MAFLD) or comorbidity (eg, obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease), specialized programs with multidisciplinary assessment groups are encouraged.

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Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750