Link between a baby’s birth weight and fatty liver disease—What parents should know.
You might think that a baby’s birth weight has the most immediate effect on his or her health and growth. And while that is true, a new study is showing an intriguing and somewhat surprising link: having a high or low birth weight has been linked to a higher risk of getting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) later in life.
This may sound scary, but knowing this link is the first step to taking charge of your child’s health. We’ll discuss the science behind this link, its implications for your family, and how to keep your liver healthy.
How do you spell Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?
Let’s talk about what NAFLD is before we talk about the link to birth weight. In simple terms, it’s a disease in which people who don’t drink much or any alcohol have too much fat in their liver. In its early stages, NAFLD often doesn’t show any obvious signs. But if you don’t treat it, it can get worse and lead to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
What you might not have known: birth weight has an effect on
Scientists are still studying the exact processes that explain the link between birth weight and NAFLD. But several strong ideas are starting to take shape:
For babies who were born with a low birth weight:
“Thrifty Phenotype” Babies who were born with low birth weight may not have had enough nutrients while they were in the womb. This process can change their metabolism, making it easier to store fat later in life, which could lead to NAFLD.
Liver Development Problems: Having a low birth weight may make your liver grow slowly, which makes it more likely to store fat.
Increased Insulin Resistance: Some studies indicate that people who were born with low birth weight may be more likely to develop insulin resistance, which is a key factor in the development of NAFLD.
For babies born with macrosomia (high birth weight),
Factors in the mother: Pregnancy-related conditions such as diabetes and obesity are often associated with the birth of an excessively heavy baby. These conditions can expose the baby to higher amounts of glucose and insulin while it is still in the womb.
This could cause the baby’s liver to store more fat.
Increased Adiposity: Babies that are bigger at birth tend to have a higher amount of body fat, which could make them store more fat throughout their lives, including in their liver.
Similar to having a low birth weight, having a high birth weight may also change metabolic processes in a way that makes it more likely that fat will build up in the liver later on.
What Does This Change Mean for Your Child’s Health?
It’s important to know that just because your baby was born with a high or low weight doesn’t mean they will get NAFLD. It only means that there may be a higher chance of something happening. Many people who had high or low birth weights lived healthy lives and never got fatty liver disease.
But now that parents know this, they can take more responsibility for their child’s long-term health. Once you understand this potential connection, you can concentrate on lifestyle factors that you can modify to significantly impact liver health.
Take these steps to protect your child’s liver health:
No matter what your child’s birth weight was, these healthy habits are important for preventing NAFLD and improving their general health:
Foods that are good for you: A balanced diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean protein is what you should aim for. Cut back on prepared foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy, high-saturated fats.
Encourage Regular Exercise: Tell your child that they should work out every day for at least an hour most days of the week. This activity helps you keep a healthy weight and makes your body more sensitive to insulin.
Keep Your Child at a Healthy Weight: Talk to your child’s doctor about keeping your child at a healthy weight for their age and height.
Be vigilant for potential risk factors. Know that being overweight, having type 2 diabetes, or having a family history of liver disease can also put you at risk for NAFLD.
Regular Check-ups: Make sure your child sees their pediatrician for regular check-ups. This allows the doctor to monitor your child’s overall health and identify any issues at an early stage.
What parents should remember:
The link between birth weight and fatty liver disease shows how things that happen early in life can affect health for a long time. You can’t change how much your child weighs at birth, but you can have a big impact on the choices they make about their lifestyle. If you start teaching your kids early on how to eat well and be active, you can greatly lower their risk of getting NAFLD and set them up for a healthier future.