Dyslipidemia is associated with pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

With the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most common cause of pediatric chronic liver disorder. Factors underlying the pathophysiology of NAFLD remain poorly defined. This study aimed to describe the metabolic characteristics of children with NAFLD differing in race/ethnicity and to test associations between dyslipidemia and NAFLD. A retrospective chart review was conducted at a tertiary referral university hospital among 309 children with a diagnosis of NAFLD. Participants (mean age 12.5 ± 3.4 years) were 64% male, 63% white, 23% Hispanic, and 14% black. Hispanic children were diagnosed with NAFLD at a significantly younger age (10.6 ± 3.1 years, P