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. 2011:2011:269853.
doi: 10.1155/2011/269853. Epub 2011 Nov 30.

Intrauterine growth retardation and nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease in children

Anna Alisi  1 , Nadia Panera, Carlo Agostoni, Valerio Nobili
Affiliations

Intrauterine growth retardation and nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease in children

Anna Alisi et al. Int J Endocrinol. 2011.

Abstract

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), the most important cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity, is defined as a foetal growth less than normal for the population, often used as synonym of small for gestational age (SGA). Studies demonstrated the relationships between metabolic syndrome (MS) and birthweight. This study suggested that, in children, adolescents, and adults born SGA, insulin resistance could lead to other metabolic disorders: type 2 diabetes (DM2), dyslipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD may evolve to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and it is related to the development of MS. Lifestyle intervention, physical activity, and weight reduction represent the mainstay of NAFLD therapy. In particular, a catch-up growth reduction could decrease the risk to develop MS and NAFLD. In this paper, we outline clinical and experimental evidences of the association between IUGR, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and NAFLD and discuss on a possible management to avoid the risk of MS in adulthood.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Possible hypotheses to explain the association between IUGR and MS. IUGR: intrauterine growth retardation; DM2: type 2 diabetes; NAFLD: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; MS: metabolic syndrome.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Simplified representation of NASH pathogenesis. NASH, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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