Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Children and Adolescents taking Atypical Antipsychotic Medications: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

Abstract

Atypical Antipsychotics (AAP) are commonly prescribed to children and adolescents and are associated with important adverse effects including weight gain and metabolic syndrome. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is not only the most common pediatric liver disease but can also be associated with serious complications including liver cirrhosis.

Given that both NAFLD and AAP are associated with metabolic syndrome, we aim to comprehensively examine the association between AAP and NAFLD in children and adolescents.

We will conduct a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, of English-language literature published between 1950 and 2020, exploring NAFLD in subjects younger than 18 years on AAP.

A PRISMA flowchart will be utilized to present the study results after comprehensively reviewing the literature for NAFLD in children and adolescents taking AAP. The first and the second systematic searches will be conducted during the month of December 2021.

This research project will serve as a foundation for future studies, assist in devising interventions, and reforming clinical guidelines of use of AAP for improved patient safety.