Genetics of Fatty Liver Disease in Children

To establish a cohort of obese youths to prospectively analyze potential factors (genetic and nutritional factors) that might affect the expression and progression of NAFLD. This study will determine genetic markers and their ability to convey susceptibility to NAFLD in obese children and adolescents. Furthermore, potential mechanisms that might contribute to the accumulation of hepatic Triglyceride (TG) accumulation will be, for the first time, assessed by genotyping. Additionally, we will examine the presence of intestinal microbiome in the development of fatty liver through stool collection.