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

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.