26 Dec 2025 • Metabolic bariatric surgery resulted in significant biochemical and histologic improvements in metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) among adolescents with severe obesity, new longitudinal data showed.

Of 101 adolescents (mean age 17.5 years; mean body mass index 47.1 kg/m²), mean BMI fell by 12.9 kg/m² at one year. Liver enzymes improved in parallel, with mean alanine transaminase decreasing from 41 to 27 IU/L, although 35% of patients continued to show elevated levels. Among adolescents who underwent repeat liver biopsy, 50% had complete resolution of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis, and 50% achieved full fibrosis resolution, while the remainder improved to mild fibrosis.

The findings support metabolic bariatric surgery as a therapeutic option for advanced pediatric MASLD, while highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance in patients with persistent biochemical abnormalities.

Source: JPEDS | Read full story