Steatohepatitis in obese children: a cause of chronic liver dysfunction

Abstract

Adult obese patients have been reported to present with hepatic abnormalities characterized by fatty hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. These abnormalities however, have not been reported to occur in children. We report three obese children with steatohepatitis that presented with nonspecific abdominal pain and abnormal liver-function tests. Obese children should have a thorough investigation of their liver function even in the absence of symptoms or signs.