Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tests for MASLD in Pediatric Population

Velacur is a liver ultrasound that measures hepatic fat and fibrosis through the propagation of a continuously, externally conducted shear wave. An enrolled participant may choose to do the ultrasound at the time of a clinic visit, or research visit or a scheduled radiology visit according to manufacturer's instructions by trained study staff. Fibrosis and steatosis measures will be collected from all scans.

Participants who have not had an MRI within the past two years will be offered a research MRI (no contrast or sedation will be used) to measure hepatic fat and hepatic stiffness (if required). Participants who have had an MRI or liver biopsy in the past two years will use historical data comparison data. MRI data will include the PDFF hepatic fat, any assessment of fibrosis and notes of other abnormalities.

Biomarkers are metabolic thumbprints of how the body is behaving to different health or disease processes, some of the biomarkers can be studied from plasma or serum combined with other demographics. A lipid profile and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), if not obtained clinically within 4 weeks, will be collected as a standard of care.

Liver biopsy data will be collected only if liver biopsy is done clinically when available and scored using the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN) approach.