Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), the UK’s only charity dedicated to fighting all forms of liver disease of childhood, is echoing healthcare professionals’ concern that an estimated 500,000 children are at risk of developing fatty liver disease and says more research is urgently needed.
Catherine Arkley, chief executive of CLDF, said: “The liver is an extremely tolerant organ and often a child only appears ill once the liver is badly damaged. While not all children with fatty liver disease will go on to develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) a significant number will. The problem is that we currently have no way of identifying those at risk.”
“It is essential that programmes to encourage healthy eating and exercise in our young people are continued and expanded,” Arkley added. “They are vital to ensure the reduction of wide ranging health issues and as a society, we see the benefits of encouraging our children to switch off their computers and televisions and engage with others in exercise and development of important social and societal skills such as team building experience.”
“Paediatric hepatologists have been alerting us of this issue for a considerable time and we hope that any emerging liver strategy addresses this important issue and allocates resources accordingly. We also hope that Professor Lombard, as England’s National Clinical Director, has added this to the list of key priorities.
For more information on CLDF visit childliverdisease.org.
