Pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease associated with craniopharyngioma: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multicluster disease which ranges from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis NASH. Recently it becomes the main cause of chronic liver disease in children and has emerged to be predicted by many specific risk factors, such as obesity and sedentary lifestyle, on predisposing genetic settings. The natural history of pediatric NAFLD is lacking, and the etiopathogenesis is not fully understood. It has been reported that children with craniopharyngioma can have features of metabolic syndrome and other comorbidities. We reported the case of a 11-year-old child who was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma. After the surgery of his brain tumor and hormone replacement therapy he was diagnosed as having NAFLD.We will use this case to highlight the main pathophysiologic processes resulting in the development of NAFLD in children following treatment of craniopharyngioma. We try to focus on the endocrine disturbances that can link the two entities.