Longitudinal Associations Between Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease 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 measures. 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. In addition, children with MASLD had a significantly increased risk of high carotid intima-media thickness and left ventricular hypertrophy. DISCUSSION: These findings support the clinical utility of MASLD in predicting the development of subclinical cardiovascular damages in childhood.