Masld in children associated with increased mortality and chronic complications

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have found that children diagnosed with metabolic disorders associated with liver steat disease associated with activity disorders (MASLD) are a significantly increased risk of premature death and serious long -term health complications. The findings, published on April 22, 2025 at The Scientific Journal of American Association for the Study of Chorobeases, come from a longitudinal examination assessing the fattening results (Livers), which occurred after 1096 children within an average of 8.5 years. Almost half of all deaths in Kohort were associated with the liver, and the general mortality rate was 40 times higher than in the case of similar peers in the general population of the US.

Every child or young adult who died was a tragedy. Masld is a real and measurable threat to pediatric health. To really change the results, we need better tools to diagnose this disease, treatment of working for children and systems that ensure that every child has access to this care. “

Jeffrey Schwimmer, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine and director of the Fatty Liver Clinic at the Council of Children’s Hospital

Masld, previously known as non -alcohol Fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in children, affecting almost 10% of all youth and up to 25% of people with obesity. Re -reclassification of Masld reflects the growing recognition that liver muffed disease in children is closely related to metabolic dysfunction, including obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. However, despite its dissemination, little is known about the long -term risks that it creates for children.

Liver examination is the most comprehensive assessment of existing clinical results in Masld pediatric. Carried at the Council of Children’s Hospital, a retrospective cohort study used medical documentation and national data of the death rate to follow children aged 2 to 18, in which Masld was diagnosed in 2000–2017. During 8.5 years of observation, 3.4% of children died – a mortality rate more than 40 times higher than expected on the basis of the national average and more than 50 times higher than expected on the basis of an average state. These mortality rates are much higher than reported in children with obesity or type 2 diabetes, which suggests that Masld can give independent risk outside of related metabolic states.

The risk of death was higher in some children, especially boys and people with low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), often called “good” cholesterol. Almost half of the deaths were caused by the liver disease itself, while others were caused by illness, accidents or suicide related to the heart.

In addition to the risk of early death, many children in the study developed serious health problems when they are still at the age of teenagers or twenty. They included high blood pressure (14%), obstructive sleep apnea (9.5%) and type 2 diabetes (7.3%). Blood fat problems, such as high triglycerides or low HDL, were even more common – the production of dyslipidemia, the presence of abnormal levels of fat (lipid) in the blood, the most common complication in general.

While many children showed improvement in the field of clinical care, a significant part has still experienced the progress of the disease. The discoveries emphasize how much we need to learn about the natural Masld course in children and strengthen the need for better tools for detecting, monitoring and managing this condition.

“We have shown that Masld in children is a serious disease with life-threatening potential,” said Schwimmer. “We hope that these discoveries lead to greater consciousness and stronger investments in a pediatric diagnostics, treatments and care systems. Thanks to the appropriate tools and commitment, we can make a significant difference in results.”

You need future research to determine which children are most exposed to progression of liver cirrhosis and early death, as well as to determine how lifestyle, drugs or surgical interventions can change the course of the disease. For now, scientists emphasize that early recognition, consistent observations and greater awareness of society and suppliers remain crucial for the protection of the health of children with Masld.