Ultrasound-Based Estimation of Hepatic Steatosis in Pediatric MASLD

Prospective Validation of an AI-Driven Ultrasound-Based Method for Estimating Hepatic Steatosis Using MRI-Derived Fat Fraction as Reference in Pediatric Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

The purpose of this study is to validate an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm that estimates hepatic steatosis using ultrasound (US) B-mode images in pediatric participants with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The MRI proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) serves as the reference standard for hepatic fat quantification.

Inclusion Criteria:

• participants aged 8 to 18 years clinically indicated for liver ultrasound examination to evaluate hepatic steatosis
• participants with suspected or known metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
• able to understand the study purpose and provide written informed consent (from both participant and legal guardian).
• agree to undergo same-day liver MRI examination in addition to the ultrasound

Exclusion Criteria:

• unable to cooperate with imaging procedures
• parent or legal guardian unable to understand the study explanation
• contraindications to MRI
• determined by the investigator to be otherwise unsuitable for participation after consultation