Fatty liver in adolescents on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Purpose: To describe the physical and metabolic characteristics of children diagnosed with fatty liver disease in a gastroenterology clinic in El Paso, Texas.

Data Sources: A retrospective chart review of 31 patients aged 8-18 diagnosed with fatty liver was conducted.

Conclusions: These children were diagnosed with fatty liver by elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (mean ALT levels 126 +/- 08 U/L) and increased hepatic echogenicity measured via ultrasound.