Early left ventricular abnormality/dysfunction in obese children affected by NAFLD

Although it is generally accepted that non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the presence of abnormalities in cardiac function among NAFLD children is limited and controversial. Aim of the study was to detect cardiac abnormalities/dysfunction in a paediatric population of NAFLD.

Anthropometric, laboratory, cardiovascular fitness, 24 h blood pressure monitoring and Doppler echocardiography parameters were obtained in 50 untreated children (37 males; mean age 12.2 + 2.5) with biopsy-proven NAFLD. Abnormalities in both cardiac function and geometry could be identified in the whole study population: prevalence of about 35% in left ventricular hypertrophy, 14% of concentric remodelling and 16% of left atrial dilatation. Furthermore children with NAFLD (NAS score <5) showed lower cardiac alterations compared to NASH patients (NAS score >5). After adjusting for age, sex and BMI, a positive correlation was found only between LV mass and NAS score (p < 0.001).

Our results suggest that cardiac dysfunction can be detectable early in NAFLD children and this is not linked to cardiovascular and metabolic alteration, other than to liver damage. Although as a preliminary stage, we can speculate a possible direct relationship between liver and heart steatosis, already occurring during childhood.