Abstract Issue

Volume 13 Issue 6 (June) 2024

Original Articles

Study of clinico-etiological and laboratory profile of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents in tertiary care center
Dr. Poornima Aharwar, Dr. Gunjan Kela

Aim: Study of clinico-etiological and laboratory profile of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents in tertiary care center. Material and methods: This research was done at the Pediatrics department as a cross-sectional study. This research included 50 children, ranging in age from 3 months to 18 years, who were diagnosed with CLD and receiving treatment at our tertiary care hospital. Children aged 3 months to 18 years were included in this study. In order to identify a childrens with CLD, a comprehensive assessment including clinical expertise, radiographic examinations, and laboratory tests is necessary. This diagnostic process is crucial for determining the prognosis and guiding the treatment of the patients. Laboratory tests to be conducted include complete blood count (CBC), liver function tests (LFT), C-reactive protein (CRP) test, random blood sugar (RBS) test, coagulation profile test, serology test, liver biopsy, and radiographic examination. Results: Clinically, the majority (80%) exhibited deranged liver function tests (LFT). Other common signs included an enlarged liver (60%), splenomegaly (50%), ascites (40%), and edema (30%). Less frequent manifestations were shrunken liver (10%), bleeding from varices (20%), spider angiomata (16%), and palmar erythema (14%).The study identified various etiological factors contributing to chronic liver disease in children. Infections were the leading cause, accounting for 30% of the cases. Autoimmune liver diseases were responsible for 16%, while metabolic disorders were identified in 20% of the children. Venous obstruction was noted in 10% of the cases. Developmental anomalies such as biliary atresia and choledochal cysts accounted for 14% and 6% of the cases, respectively. Other rare causes were found in 4% of the children.The complete blood count (CBC) showed a mean hemoglobin level of 10.5 ± 2.1 g/dL, slightly below the normal range, and a mean WBC count of 6.8 ± 1.5 x10^9/L, within the normal range. Liver function tests revealed elevated mean AST (80 ± 30 U/L) and ALT (75 ± 28 U/L) levels, both significantly higher than the reference ranges. The mean total bilirubin level was 2.5 ± 1.2 mg/dL, above the normal range. The mean CRP level was 10 ± 5 mg/L, higher than the normal value. Random blood sugar (RBS) levels were within normal limits with a mean of 100 ± 15 mg/dL. Coagulation profile results indicated slightly elevated mean PT (14 ± 2 seconds) and INR (1.2 ± 0.3) values. Positive serological results were found in 16% of the cases. Conclusion: We concluded that the infections took the primary position in all causes of diseases, slightly winning over metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Abnormal liver function was another presenting feature with signs such as hepatomegaly and splenomegaly being apparent in the patients. Biochemical analysis revealed increased liver enzymes and bilirubin concentrations depending on the stage of the illness in the patients. Essentailly, the radiological examinations demonstrated hepatosplenomegaly as the most frequent findings in all eleven patients.

 
Html View | Download PDF | Current Issue

Get In Touch

IJLBPR

322 Parlount Road Slough Berkshire SL3 8AX, UK

ijlbpr@gmail.com

Submit Article

© IJLBPR. All Rights Reserved.