Pediatric MASLD: current understanding and practical approach

• Published in: European journal of pediatrics 2024-11, Vol.184 (1), p.29, Article 29
• Main Authors: Stroes, Anne-Sophie R., Vos, Miriam, Benninga, Marc A., Koot, Bart G. P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body weight; Cardiovascular diseases; Child; Children; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diagnosis; Epidemiology; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Liver diseases; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Morbidity; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - diagnosis; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - epidemiology; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - metabolism; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - therapy; Obesity; Overweight; Pediatric Obesity - complications; Pediatric Obesity - diagnosis; Pediatric Obesity - metabolism; Pediatric Obesity - therapy; Pediatrics; Review; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 1432-1076; 0340-6199; 1432-1076
• DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05848-1

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is now the most prevalent chronic liver disease in children in industrialized countries mainly due to the rise in obesity and overweight. Besides risk of progressive liver damage, MASLD also carries an increased risk of extra-hepatic morbidity, most importantly type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Important challenges remain in the prevention, detection, and treatment of this prevalent disorder. This review outlines the epidemiology and risk factors of MASLD and provides an approach to screening, diagnosis, and treatment based on current best available evidence and expert opinion. What is known: • NAFLD/MASLD is a common disorder in children strongly related to obesity/overweight and insulin resistance. • This silent disorder is underdiagnosed due to lack of awareness and lack of simple diagnostic criteria. What is new: • New diagnostic criteria have transformed NAFLD/MASLD from a diagnosis of exclusion to a positive diagnosis with simple criteria. • Effective treatments are emerging for adults and will likely become available for children. • Identifying children with NAFLD/MASLD has become even more important due to this new treatment perspective.