Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD) is becoming more common among children and adolescents in the United States and worldwide, coinciding with a rise in childhood obesity.
Experts recommend that children between the ages of 9 and 11 who have overweight or obesity or other risk factors should be screened for MASLD.
Currently, there are no approved medications for the treatment of MASLD or its more advanced form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH), but it can be prevented or managed with lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise and weight loss.
Last Reviewed: November 13, 2023
