Mangaluru: Fatty liver disease, once considered uncommon among children, is now emerging as a significant cause of chronic liver problems in the paediatric population, doctors have warned.

Marking World Liver Day, Dr Swathi Rao, consultant paediatric intensivist at KMC Hospital, said that cases in Mangaluru have increased by nearly 10% over the past decade. Current estimates suggest that 5–10% of children in the general population may be affected, with some studies indicating that nearly one in ten children could have the condition.

The prevalence is far higher among overweight and obese children, ranging between 30% and 50%. “We are increasingly seeing fatty liver in younger age groups. In some cases, early changes are being detected in children as young as six to seven years, although it remains more common among those aged 12 to 18,” Dr Rao noted.

Experts attribute the rise primarily to increasing childhood obesity, which accelerated during the pandemic years. Sedentary routines, excessive screen time, and poor dietary habits have together created what doctors describe as a “double burden” on children’s metabolic health.

“High consumption of sugary beverages, junk food, and ultra-processed diets, along with low levels of physical activity, is leading to fat accumulation in the liver,” she explained.

One of the key challenges, doctors say, is that the condition often remains silent in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include persistent fatigue, mild abdominal discomfort, increased abdominal fat, and darkening of the skin around the neck — an indicator of insulin resistance.

Dr Rao also cautioned that children with fatty liver disease face an elevated risk of developing serious health conditions later in life, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. She emphasised the importance of preventive steps such as ensuring at least one hour of daily physical activity, limiting screen time to one to two hours, and avoiding screen exposure altogether for toddlers.

Dr Anurag Shetty, consultant in medical gastroenterology at KMC Hospital, highlighted that liver disease often progresses unnoticed. “Fatty liver is closely associated with obesity, high cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, diabetes, and hypertension. If left unchecked, it can lead to severe complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer,” he said.

He further pointed out that individuals with fatty liver are also at increased risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. Stressing the need for early detection, Dr Shetty called for targeted screening among high-risk groups, particularly children with obesity or diabetes.

“Greater awareness is essential,” he added. “Public health initiatives, outreach programmes, and consistent messaging through social and digital platforms must focus on promoting healthier diets and active lifestyles among children.”

Doctors underline that while the trend is concerning, timely lifestyle changes and early intervention can significantly reduce the risk and prevent long-term complications.