Death from Liver Disease in Parents Linked to Elevated Hepatitis Risk in Children: Study Finds - Video

A new study published in Hepatology Communications reveals that individuals whose parent died from liver disease face more than double the risk of developing alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH)—a severe and often fatal form of liver disease—compared to heavy drinkers without such a family history. The research, conducted by scientists at the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute, sheds light on a potential familial or genetic susceptibility that could help identify high-risk individuals earlier.

Alcohol-associated hepatitis is one of the deadliest forms of alcohol-related liver disease, with limited treatment options and high short-term mortality. While excessive alcohol use is a well-known risk factor, not all heavy drinkers develop alcohol-associated hepatitis, leaving researchers searching for biological or genetic mechanisms that may predispose certain individuals.

The study analyzed data from two large, multicenter cohorts: one including patients diagnosed with alcohol-associated hepatitis and another consisting of heavy drinkers who had not developed significant liver disease. Researchers found that although parental alcohol use disorder was common across both groups, it was specifically a parent's death due to liver disease that was associated with a markedly higher risk of developing alcohol-associated hepatitis.

“Alcohol-associated hepatitis is a life-threatening condition with high short-term mortality. So far, there is no effective treatment that is approved by the FDA,” said first author Dr. Wanzhu Tu, Professor at IU School of Medicine and a Regenstrief Research Scientist. “The best way to reduce the mortality and morbidity of alcohol-associated hepatitis is to prevent it from occurring in the first place, which is why reducing alcohol consumption has always been a primary focus,” he added.

The researchers also observed that patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis who had a parent die from liver disease were more likely to die themselves within 90 days of diagnosis. “A parent’s death from liver disease is a clear and measurable risk marker,” said corresponding author Dr. Samer Gawrieh. “Recognizing this can help clinicians identify those at higher risk for alcohol-associated hepatitis and guide preventive strategies.”

These findings underscore the importance of family history in assessing liver disease risk and highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies among vulnerable populations.

Reference: Tu, Wanzhu1; Gawrieh, Samer1; Nephew, Lauren1; McClain, Craig2; Tang, Qing1; Dasarathy, Srinivasan3; Vatsalya, Vatsalya2; Simonetto, Douglas A.4; Kettler, Carla1; Szabo, Gyongyi5; Barton, Bruce6; Yu, Yunpeng1; Kamath, Patrick S.4; Sanyal, Arun J.7; Nagy, Laura3; Mitchell, Mack C.8; Liangpunsakul, Suthat1; Shah, Vijay H.4; Chalasani, Naga1; Bataller, Ramon9; on behalf of the AlcHepNet Investigators. Parental liver disease mortality is associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis. Hepatology Communications 9(6):e0666, June 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000666