Longitudinal associations between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and subclinical cardiovascular measures in Chinese children

Introduction: The clinical utility of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in predicting subsequent subclinical cardiovascular damages in pediatric population remains poorly understood. Methods: Data on 1,161 Chinese children aged 10-15 years were used to assess the longitudinal associations of MASLD with subsequent subclinical cardiovascular damages. Results: Compared with relatively healthy children, children with MASLD had abnormal vascular and cardiac structures, along with reduced cardiac diastolic function at the 2-year follow-up. Additionally, children with MASLD had a significantly increased risk of high carotid intima-media thickness and left ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusion: These findings support the clinical utility of MASLD in predicting the development of subclinical cardiovascular damages in childhood.