Reversing Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Promotes Healthy Pediatric Cardiovascular Structures: The PROC Study

Am J Gastroenterol. 2024 Aug 1;119(8):1640-1643. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002804. Epub 2024 Apr 11.

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated the impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) on cardiovascular structure development in children.

Methods: We followed 1,356 children with the mean age of 6.6 years for 4.5 years in Beijing, China. We assessed the association of MASLD with cardiovascular structure (carotid intima-media thickness and left ventricular mass) outcomes at baseline and follow-up.

Results: Over follow-up, 59 children had persistent MASLD, 109 had incident MASLD (progression), and 35 had normalization of liver health. Children with MASLD normalization showed a significantly lower mean development in carotid intima-media thickness (0.161 vs 0.188 mm) and left ventricular mass (4.5 vs 12.4 g) than children with persistent MASLD.

Discussion: The control of MASLD was associated with improved cardiovascular structure development.

MeSH terms

  • Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China
  • Fatty Liver
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology
  • Heart Ventricles / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / complications