Paediatric non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease and aortic intimal medial thickness: A study identifying potential fatty infiltration of the pancreas and its association with aortic IMT in children exposed to teratogens during pregnancy

Abstract

The incidence of non-communicable diseases is increasing worldwide, with South Africa being no exception. Non-communicable diseases are classified as non-infectious and are often referred to as lifestyle diseases as they are caused by common, modifiable risk factors such as unhealthy diet, obesity, tobacco use and lack of physical activity. Due to the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity diseases such as fatty pancreas and fatty liver are becoming more common. Cardiovascular disease, and more specifically atherosclerosis is the underlying cause in most adult deaths. Disease pathogenesis starts in childhood and can be detected via Aortic intima-media thickness (IMT). The developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis (DOHaD) proposes that exposures in-utero may result in persistent adaptations including alterations in metabolism.