Caring for children with fatty liver disease

Learn how our Gastroenterology, Liver and Nutrition Program cares for children with fatty liver disease.

• What is fatty liver disease?

Related tests and treatments:

• Blood tests
• Biopsy
• Ultrasound
• Cognitive behavior therapy

Our approach to fatty liver disease

Children’s Wisconsin offers a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to managing fatty liver disease. Our Liver Disease and Transplant Program has vast experience treating a variety of liver disorders, and our team includes pediatric hepatologists, nurse practitioners, dietitians, psychologists and social workers. The program is led by Grzegorz W. Telega, MD, a board-certified hepatologist.

We know that weight loss can be challenging, and we’ll provide the resources and support you need to adopt the lifestyle changes necessary to improve your child’s health. We’ll also collaborate closely with your child’s primary care physician and any other specialists involved in your child’s care.

Fatty liver disease services we offer

• Diagnosis and evaluation
• Customized treatment plan
• Nutritional counseling
• Psychological services

Diagnosing and treating fatty liver disease

If your child is overweight or obese, the doctor may screen for fatty liver disease and other possible complications of obesity. The following tests are used to diagnose fatty liver disease:

• Blood tests
• Biopsy
• Abdominal ultrasound

We’ll work together to create a customized treatment plan for your child. As a starting point, we typically recommend a 3-2-1-0 approach to your child’s day, which stands for:

• 3 meals
• Less than 2 hours of screen time
• At least 1 hour of exercise
• 0 sweet drinks or high-calorie snacks

Our dieticians can offer detailed advice on meal planning, and our physical therapists can also provide recommendations on an exercise regimen that’s best for your child. If your child is struggling with the lifestyle changes, we may refer him or her to a psychologist for cognitive behavior therapy and additional support.

We’ll meet with your family every three to four months to monitor your child’s liver function and treatment plan. If your child adheres to the plan, it’s possible to reverse the damage of fatty liver disease and improve your child’s overall health.