Overview

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth by over three times, independent of maternal obesity.
• The study, based on Swedish registry data, analyzed 240 births with biopsy-confirmed MASLD and 1,140 matched births without the condition.
• MASLD was also associated with a 63% higher rate of cesarean sections, though this was linked to elevated BMI rather than the disease itself.
• No increased risks of congenital malformations or neonatal mortality were observed among babies born to mothers with MASLD.
• Researchers recommend integrating liver health assessments into prenatal care and revising clinical guidelines to address risks associated with MASLD during pregnancy.