Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss
07:03

Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss

Published on: July 19, 2024

1.1K

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in an Urban Paediatric Cohort With High Socioeconomic

Christine Brichta1, Ariel Porto2, Mark Fishbein1

  • 1Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago & Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Pediatric Obesity
|July 5, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Higher socioeconomic deprivation is linked to more severe paediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study found increased liver enzyme levels and fibrosis in children with higher social deprivation scores.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is increasingly prevalent in children.
  • The association between socioeconomic status and MASLD severity in pediatric populations is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between social deprivation and the clinical and histological characteristics of pediatric MASLD.
  • To evaluate differences in MASLD severity markers based on socioeconomic factors in urban children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 277 pediatric patients (≤18 years) diagnosed with MASLD between 2009 and 2019.
  • Classification of patients into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) using the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) and assessment of fibrosis via liver biopsy.
  • Calculation of Social Deprivation Index (SDI) scores based on patient residential addresses.

Main Results:

  • The cohort consisted mainly of Hispanic males with obesity, median age 12 years.
  • Higher Social Deprivation Index (SDI) scores correlated with significantly elevated AST levels, higher NAS scores, and increased rates of bridging fibrosis.
  • Patients with MASH or fibrosis exhibited significantly higher ALT levels compared to those without.

Conclusions:

  • In a cohort of predominantly Hispanic children with MASLD facing socioeconomic disadvantage, higher SDI scores are associated with increased disease severity.
  • Findings suggest that socioeconomic factors play a significant role in the progression of pediatric MASLD, impacting laboratory results and liver histology.
Abstract

Keywords:
MASHMASLDfibrosisobesitysocial deprivation

More Related Videos

A Model of Experimental Steatosis In Vitro: Hepatocyte Cell Culture in Lipid Overload-Conditioned Medium08:35

A Model of Experimental Steatosis In Vitro: Hepatocyte Cell Culture in Lipid Overload-Conditioned Medium

Published on: May 18, 2021

6.7K
An Advanced Murine Model for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Association with Type 2 Diabetes10:17

An Advanced Murine Model for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Association with Type 2 Diabetes

Published on: April 26, 2019

7.1K

Related Concept Videos

Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
246
Overview of Lipid Metabolism01:24

Overview of Lipid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism is a crucial process in the human body that involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids. This process is essential for energy production, cell membrane formation, and hormone production, among other functions.
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
2.5K
Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
1.9K
Liver Physiology01:30

Liver Physiology

The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of  70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
1.3K
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
1.0K