Babies with low birthweight four times more likely to develop fatty liver disease early in life, study finds
Babies with a low birthweight are four times more likely to develop fatty liver disease early in life, according to a new study.
The findings provide further evidence for why it is so important to take steps during pregnancy to ensure the baby is born at a normal weight, for example by not smoking, the researchers say.
The researchers found that newborn babies who weighed less than 2.5kg (5lbs 8oz) were significantly more likely to develop metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, in childhood, adolescence or young adulthood.
The average birthweight in the general population is around 3.5kg. Globally, around one in seven of all babies are born with a low birthweight; in Western countries the proportion is lower at around 8 to 10 per cent, researchers say.
“Our study now provides compelling evidence that foetal developmental factors play a significant role in the development of MASLD and progressive liver disease,” said Fahim Ebrahimi of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
“It is deeply concerning that individuals born with a low birthweight face a heightened relative risk of this disease at a young age, as early-onset MASLD often persists into adulthood and has been associated with an increased risk of developing cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease.
“Moving forward, it is important that we develop proactive and effective strategies, such as early and targeted screening, to identify at-risk individuals and help reduce the burden of this disease,” adds Dr Ebrahimi.
“Prevention of intrauterine growth retardation [reduced growth in the womb] is key. Important measures include providing adequate maternal care with instructions on nutrition, smoking cessation and early identification and treatment of pregnancy-associated conditions such as gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia and maternal obesity,” he said.
Dr Ebrahimi notes that while previous research has established the link between birthweight and major diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, the connection to MASLD remained unclear.
Pamela Healy, chief executive of The British Liver Trust, said: “Our helpline receives a high volume of calls from members of the public about MASLD. It’s a condition that’s often found incidentally when people have a scan for something else.
“In the next decade, experts predict that MASLD will become the leading cause of late-stage liver disease and transplantation.
“In most cases though, MASLD can be controlled or reversed before it progresses to a more serious form of the disease. That’s why it’s really important that we raise awareness of the disease and encourage people to take steps to improve their overall health, before the condition gets more serious.”
The study will be presented at UEG Week – a United European Gastroenterology (UEG) conference held in Copenhagen and online.
