Lucknow: One in two children visiting KGMU OPD with hepatic complaints has fatty liver, which reflects on the rise in lifestyle-linked condition and a growing public health concern, said doctors on the eve of World Liver Day.A recent KGMU survey found that nearly 50% of 280 children treated over the past year had fatty liver, with those in 5-13 age group being the most affected. A decade ago, such cases were rare in OPDs.Fatty liver occurs when excess fat builds up in liver cells and, if left untreated, can gradually damage the organ. The condition often shows no early symptoms but may later lead to fatigue, mild abdominal discomfort or unexplained weight gain, scarring and other complications. It is usually diagnosed through blood tests and ultrasound.Many children now spend three to four hours a day on screens and have little outdoor activity. Around 70% of parents said their children eat fast food every alternate day, increasing obesity, a key risk factor.Head of gastroenterology at KGMU, Prof Sumit Rungta, warned that without early lifestyle changes, children could face serious liver disease later in life.A faculty in paediatrics, Prof Sarika Gupta, said high intake of fried and processed food, along with lack of exercise, is affecting liver health and metabolism.The trend is also being seen in private hospitals and clinics. At Max Super Specialty Hospital, director of hepato-pancreato-biliary and transplant surgery, Dr Waliullah Siddiqui, said they now see five to six patients daily, linking this to poor diet, inactivity, obesity and diabetes.“A decade ago, there were none or hardly one to two children in a month,” he added.Experts at Medanta Hospital said liver disease is no longer limited to adults. Director of gastroenterology, Dr Abhai Verma, noted that a sedentary lifestyle is driving fatty liver even in children.Gastroenterologist Dr Puneet Malhotra said the condition is largely reversible if detected early but can lead to permanent damage if ignored. “Up to 80–90% of cases can be prevented through early screening, a balanced diet and regular exercise,” they said.
