The Role of Vitamin D in Obese Children with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Metabolic Syndrome

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a complex chronic condition, which in the absence of screening-monitoring markers and effective standardized treatment is one of the most important issues in pediatric pathology. In this study, we analyzed the role of vitamin D supplementation in obese children with/without NAFLD and the impact on the components of the associated metabolic syndrome (MS). The study included 22 children with simple obesity (SO) and 50 with NAFLD, aged between 6 and 14 years, who received regimen-based therapy or vitamin D supplementation in case of deficiency. Anthropometric and paraclinical data associated with MS were statistically compared before and after treatment. It was observed that there was a statistical association of NAFLD with MS components, which were present both in SO and in the 6-9 years group. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with the presence of obesity, NAFLD and MS components, and correction of the deficiency induced a tendency to normalize the associated parameters. In the case of a treatment strictly based on the regimen, we found decreases in vitamin D values and additional alteration of some parameters. Supplementation with vitamin D potentiates the effects of the specific regimen, and the effects seem to be dependent on the MS components.