Association of blood manganese, selenium with steatosis, fibrosis in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017-18

•Chronic liver disease is a growing health burden worldwide.•Metal exposures may be associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.•Higher blood manganese was positively associated with liver steatosis.•Higher blood selenium positively associated with steatosis, negative with fibrosis.•Differences by sex and race/ethnicity highlight need for longitudinal study.