In an August 13 Instagram post, Dr. Saurabh Sethi — a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford — cautioned parents against regularly giving children sugary foods such as pastries, soft drinks, and cookies. He highlighted the growing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among children and pointed to the role of excess fructose in its development.
Explaining the process, Dr. Sethi said sugar is made up of 50% glucose and 50% fructose. While glucose fuels the body, excess fructose is converted into fat in the liver, leading to fat accumulation. If untreated, NAFLD can progress to serious conditions, including cirrhosis, and may even require liver transplantation in severe pediatric cases.
Dr. Sethi urged parents to recognise that liver damage can stem from multiple causes, making prevention essential. Other liver experts, such as Dr. Pavan Dhoble of PD Hinduja Hospital, and Dr. Dinesh Zirpe of Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, have also stressed reducing processed sugar intake, maintaining a healthy diet, and adopting lifestyle measures to safeguard liver health.
