Investigating liver disease risk in individuals with low birth weight

Increased Risk of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Low Birth Weight Individuals - Extended Validation.

Observational Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen · NCT05890365

This study is trying to see if people who were born with low birth weight are more likely to develop liver disease later in life compared to those who were born with normal weight.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages35 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
SponsorSteno Diabetes Center Copenhagen Academic / other
Locations1 site (Herlev)
Trial IDNCT05890365 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to validate the increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in individuals with low birth weight (LBW) compared to those with normal birth weight (NBW). The researchers will conduct a nested case-control screening study involving 250 LBW participants and 50 NBW controls, all born at term and aged 35-40 years. The study will assess hepatic steatosis and fibrosis to understand the early manifestations of cardiometabolic diseases in LBW individuals. The findings may provide insights into the relationship between birth weight and liver health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include healthy men and women aged 35-40 years who were born with low birth weight (less than the 10th percentile) or normal birth weight (between the 50th and 90th percentiles).

Not a fit: Patients with a BMI over 35 kg/m2, metabolic or liver diseases, or those with significant weight fluctuations in the past six months may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to early identification and management of liver disease in individuals with low birth weight.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated a correlation between low birth weight and increased liver fat, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights into NAFLD risk.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 250 healthy, men and women born with a low birth weight (birth weight (BW) \<10% of the population) and 50 born with a normal birth weight controls (BW between 50-90% of the population)
* born at term (weeks 39-41)

Exclusion Criteria:

* BMI\>35 kg/m2
* Disease/medication known to affect primary outcome
* Self-reported high physical activity level
* Alcohol intake above general recommendations.
* Metabolic/liver disease
* Weight gain/loss of \>3 kg within the past 6 months

Where this trial is running

Herlev

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseLow Birth WeightMetabolic diseaseAdipose tissue biologyLiver fatNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.