A study on clinico-etiological profile of chronic liver disease in children between 1year to 14 years of age

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic liver diseases(CLD) account for 1 to 5% of paediatric ward admissions and upto 20% of ward mortality in our country. Now a day Indian childhood cirrhosis is a rarity, whereas diseases likechronic hepatitis, Wilsons disease and biliary atresia are diagnosed with increasing frequency and therefore became relatively important forms of paediatric liver disease. Methodology: The study was done to determine the clinico-etiological profile of chronic liver disease in children 1 year to 14 years. This is a prospective case-controlled study done over a period of two years. Various clinical, biochemical and radiographic parameters pertaining to chronic liver disease were studied. Results: About4 0 cases were studied. CLD was found to be prevalent in 5-10 years of age group. Male were more affected than female. Jaundice was the most common presenting feature.Hepatomegaly, Ascitis, Splenomegaly were thecommonest presenting signs. Conclusion: CLD is not uncommon condition in children. It constitutes 18.34% of the patients of the with liver disease in our region. Wilson’s disease was the most common aetiology apart from idiopathic which constitute 52.5% of the cause.