Fatty liver found in children

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego reported that pediatric fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis (fatty inflammation of the liver) in obese children have been increasing and this also includes cases of cirrhosis and liver transplantation.

According to the current issue of the Journal Pediatrics, fatty liver is seen in about 10% of children and adolescents, making it the most common liver abnormality in this age group. Fatty liver s defined as fatty deposits in at least 5 percent of the liver cells.

Liver enzyme predicts overall health ?

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommend that both doctors and the public should pay more attention to the levels of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in blood as there is growing evidence that ALT is a marker of general health. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine observed an increased risk of death for subjects with elevated levels of ALT. Elevated levels of the enzyme increased the risk of death by 63 percent.

Scientists at an English university have grown a miniature artificial human liver

Researchers in Newcastle University in northeast England made the ethical breakthrough by growing a miniature artificial human liver in their study of regenerative medicine, using stem cells from the umbilical cord i.e. without requiring the need for embryos.

This is very useful to pharmaceutical companies and they can use them to test new drugs without having to test on animals and humans. Also, these mini-livers could eventually be used like dialysis machines, giving time for a patient's liver to repair itself or while awaiting doctors to find a replacement liver.