ETIOLOGY AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF PEDIATRIC CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Abstract

Objective: To determine the etiology and clinical profile of chronic liver disease in children presenting at Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Sep 2015 to Sep 2016.

Methodology: After informed written consent, 84 consecutive children diagnosed of chronic liver disease were included in the study and demographic features, presentation and underlying etiology.

Results: There were 43 (51.2%) male and 41 (48.8%) female children with a mean age of 46.62 ± 46.89 months. Frequent presenting complaints were jaundice (32.1%) persistent neonatal jaundice (29.8%), abdominal distension (27.4%). Hepatosplenomegaly was the frequent presentation of children with glycogen storage disease while persistent neonatal jaundice was associated with biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis. Wilson disease presented with neurological symptoms. Glycogen storage disease and biliary atresia were the most frequent underlying etiologies recorded in 15 (17.9%) children. The frequency of Wilsons disease was significantly higher among children aged between 5-10 years.

Conclusion: The frequent clinical presentations of children with chronic liver disease were jaundice, abdominal distension and hepatosplenomegaly. Glycogen Storage Disorders, Biliary atresia and Wilsons Disease and were the most frequently encountered etiologies.