Publication Date
5-1-2026
Journal
JPGN Reports
DOI
10.1002/jpr3.70139
PMID
42110135
PMCID
PMC13151018
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
2-2-2026
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Childhood obesity is rising and leading to serious co-morbidities, among which is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) predisposing individuals to cirrhosis. We describe a young 11-year-old Hispanic male who presented with hepatopulmonary syndrome secondary to cirrhotic portal hypertension from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), necessitating liver transplantation. Despite lifestyle modifications post-transplantation, the patient experienced persistent weight gain and recurrence of steatosis, emphasizing challenges of managing pediatric MASLD. The burden of childhood obesity is increasing and impacting children significantly earlier than previously believed. Our case is one of the few to report the severe complications of MASH in a young, pre-teen child necessitating early liver transplantation. Furthermore, the case highlights the evolving landscape of pediatric liver transplant, with MASH increasingly recognized as an indication for pediatric liver transplantation. The management of this disease is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Keywords
childhood obesity, metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease, pediatric liver transplant, portal hypertension, pulmonary complication of liver disease
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Sakhuja, Shruti; Beer, Stacey S; Patel, Kalyani R; et al., "Hepatopulmonary Syndrome As Presentation of Pediatric Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7571.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7571