Author information
1
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy. renata.alfani@gmail.com.
2
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi (Salerno), Italy. renata.alfani@gmail.com.
3
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy. edoardo.vassa@gmail.com.
4
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi (Salerno), Italy. edoardo.vassa@gmail.com.
5
Clinical Pediatrics Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona, 84131 Salerno, Italy. annagiulia.deanseris@gmail.com.
6
Clinical Pediatrics Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona, 84131 Salerno, Italy. nazzaroluci@libero.it.
7
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy. ida.dacunzo@gmail.com.
8
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi (Salerno), Italy. ida.dacunzo@gmail.com.
9
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy. carolinaporfito@gmail.com.
10
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi (Salerno), Italy. carolinaporfito@gmail.com.
11
Children's Hospital Santobono-Pausilipon, Department of Pediatrics, 80129 Naples, Italy. cla.mandato@gmail.com.
12
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy. pvajro@unisa.it.
13
Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi (Salerno), Italy. pvajro@unisa.it.
14
Clinical Pediatrics Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona, 84131 Salerno, Italy. pvajro@unisa.it.
15
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, Pediatrics Section, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi (Salerno), Italy. pvajro@unisa.it.
Abstract
Obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the most common cause of pediatric liver disease due to overweight/obesity large-scale epidemics. In clinical practice, diagnosis is usually based on clinical features, blood tests, and liverimaging. Here, we underline the need to make a correct differential diagnosis for a number of genetic, metabolic, gastrointestinal, nutritional, endocrine, muscular, and systemic disorders, and for iatrogenic/viral/autoimmune hepatitis as well. This is all the more important for patients who are not in the NAFLD classical age range and for those for whom a satisfactory response of liver test abnormalities to weight loss after dietary counseling and physical activity measures cannot be obtained or verified due to poor compliance. A correct diagnosis may be life-saving, as some of these conditions which appear similar to NAFLD have a specific therapy. In this study, the characteristics of the main conditions which require consideration are summarized, and a practical diagnostic algorithm is discussed.