The Fatty Liver Clinic at Rady Children's was initiated in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey Schwimmer as the first clinic in the United States dedicated to the care of children and adolescents with fatty liver disorders.

The Fatty Liver Clinic specializes in the diagnosis and management of pediatric forms of fatty liver. In children, fatty liver may be associated with genetic disorders, metabolic disorders, lipid disorders, diabetes and obesity.

Fatty Liver Staff

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Please call 858-966-4003 for more information.

About Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver is a condition with liver cells becoming filled with fat droplets. There are many different causes of fatty liver. One form is known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This has become a common cause of chronic liver disease in children. Some children have a more severe form of NAFLD, known as fatty hepatitis or steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is notable for liver inflammation and liver cell damage, and can progress to advanced cirrhosis and liver failure.

Many children will come to attention after having screening blood tests done by their primary care physician. Often this is in the absence of symptoms. The most common symptoms seen with fatty liver are fatigue and abdominal pain.

The management of fatty liver begins with a careful and complete diagnosis. This includes a comprehensive medical history, physical examination and lab testing. Imaging of the liver is commonly done. In many cases a liver biopsy is performed to determine the type of fatty liver, as well as its severity.

Learn more on The RCHSD Website

Research

Calculators to Estimate Improvement Relative to Liver Histology:

The following calculators can be utilized to predict the probability of improvement in different histologic outcomes of children with NAFLD. These predictions are based upon baseline demographic, clinical, laboratory and liver biopsy parameters, along with change in ALT and GGT. These calculators are meant to be utilized for research purposes only. These models were developed in the following research publication: Alanine Aminotransferase and Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase Predict Histologic Improvement in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Newton KP, Lavine JE, Wilson L, Behling C, Vos MB, Molleston JP, Rosenthal P, Miloh T, Fishbein MH, Jain AK, Murray KF, Schwimmer JB, The Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN). Hepatology. 16 May 2020

This paper is available via the following link: 
https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/hep.31317

Probability of Histologic Improvement (decrease in NAFLD Activity Score >= 2 points without worsening of fibrosis)

Probability of Resolution of Borderline Zone 1 NASH

Probability of Fibrosis Improvement