Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) Clinic
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) happens slowly over time. It starts when fat builds up in the liver. When the fat stays in the liver, it can cause inflammation and scarring that leads to progressive liver disease, cirrhosis or liver cancer.
What causes MASLD?
MASLD is usually caused by genetics and/or obesity in children or teens. It frequently occurs with pre-diabetes/insulin resistance, diabetes or hypertension. It used to be called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but that name has been updated to reflect new knowledge about the condition.
Treating the Whole Child
The primary conditions treated in our clinic include:
- MASLD
- Obesity
However, children with fatty liver disease usually have other obesity-related medical conditions. To ensure your child has the highest quality of life possible, it’s important to act early and set up a lifetime of healthy habits. That’s why the experts in our MASLD Clinic represent several different specialty areas of medicine. We work closely to coordinate your child’s care and ensure their whole-body health remains a focus.
Other health conditions that also may be found in patients with MASLD include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
- Abnormal menstruation: Long or irregular periods
- Hypertension
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Gallstones: Deposits in the gallbladder that cause pain and block the bile duct
- Orthopedic complications
- Depression and anxiety
Speak with your child’s pediatrician for a referral, or contact us at 602-933-0940 with any questions. We look forward to partnering with you to ensure a long, healthy future for your child.