FREQUENCY OF CAUSES OF CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE IN CHILDREN

Causes of Chronic Liver Disease in Children

Abstract

Objective: To determine the etiology of chronic liver disease in children.
Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital Lahore, from Jun 2014 to Dec 2014.
Material and Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted at department of Paediatrics,
Combined Military Hospital Lahore from 1st June 2014 to 31st December 2014. It included 150 consecutive
paediatric patients (1-14 years) with chronic liver disease.
Results: Out of 150 children 95 (63.33%) were male and 55 (36.66%) were females. The mean age of the children included in the study was 7.2 ± 4.6 years and the age range was 1 year to 14 years. Viral hepatitis (61, 40.67%) was the commonest cause of the liver disease followed by glycogen storage disease (11, 7.33%) and Wilson’s disease in 13 (8.6%).
Conclusion: There are various causes of chronic liver disease in children most common being hepatitis B & C infection. The early identification of etiology of chronic liver disease in children is of cardinal importance for
optimal management of these cases.