APPSPGHAN 2022

Jae Sung Ko

Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine

Korea

Memberships and Major Committee Assignments in Professional Societies :

2005-2009 Secretory General, Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
2016-2018 Director of Scientific Committee, Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
2021- President, Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
2021- Vice Chairman, Korean Society of Gastroenterology
Member of Council, Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Korean Association for the Study of the Liver, Korean Society of Gastroenterology

Major research interests
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Wilson disease, Neonatal cholestasis, Glycogen storage disease Genetics of pediatric liver disease

Epidemiology in Asia

Liver Symposium: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: (NAFLD)

15 October 2022 (0830-1000) @ Sipadan Hall 2

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children. An international panel proposed to replace the terminology of NAFLD with metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in children. The diagnostic criteria for pediatric MAFLD are based on the detection of steatosis along with the presence of one of three criteria, namely overweight or obesity, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, or evidence of metabolic dysfunction. The incidence of MAFLD diagnosis significantly increased over 10 yrs. The global prevalence of pediatric MAFLD from general populations is 7.6% and no regional difference was found. Pooled global prevalence of MAFLD in obese children was 34%. Prevalence among obese children in Asia is 60% and higher compared with Europe and North America. Variants of PNPLA3 are more common in Asians. Risk factors for MAFLD are high fructose intake, maternal obesity, low or high birth weight, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia,and sarcopenia. Althogh genetic risks influence development of MAFLD, diet and lifestyles are critical determinants. Children with MAFLD have significantly higher rates of overall, cancer-, liver- and cardiometabolic-specific mortality and impose a heavy burden on health systems. Policy measures aimed at reducing social inequities and improving the food environment, prevention and screening of pediatric MAFLD are important.

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