What Are the Causes of Fatty Infusions on the Liver?

Fatty liver is a medical condition that causes the cells of the liver to become infused with large amounts of fats such as triglycerides. People can develop fatty liver from several different causes.

Alcohol

The leading cause of fatty liver is alcohol abuse, according to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. People who limit their alcohol consumption have a greater chance of preventing fatty liver.

Improper Food Consumption

Individuals who suffer from malnutrition and obese people may develop fatty liver.

Diseases

Patients with diabetes mellitus and children with Reye's syndrome have an increased risk of getting fatty liver.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women have developed a serious form of fatty liver late in pregnancy in rare cases. This type of fatty liver may cause liver failure and jaundice.

Other Causes

Fatty liver can occur in people who ingest toxic chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride and patients who experience a drug overdose.

Treatment

Early cases of fatty liver may be reversed if the underlying cause is treated. Severe cases of the condition may require a liver transplant.

References

• Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Fatty Liver