Role of chronic hepatitis in development of thalassaemic liver disease. Issue 9 (September 1976)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Masera, G; Jean, G; Gazzola, G; Novakova, M
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 51:Issue 9(1976)
• Page Start: 680
• Page End: 685
• Publication Date: 1976-09
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.51.9.680
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Liver function and the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBsAg were studied in 90 hypertransfused thalassaemic children. Increased serum transaminases were found in 62 patients, and persisted from more than 6 months in 45 cases. Liver biopsy in this latter group led to a diagnosis of 14 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis, 9 cases of aggressive hepatitis, and 3 cases of hepatic fibrosis. In Italy thalassaemic children undergoing hypertransfusion therapy frequently encounter SH virus infection, with a consequent hepatitis that is generally anicteric and unrecognized unless systematically sought. In a liver already stressed by the concomitant iron overload, hepatitis infection might thus play a key role in the evolution of cirrhosis which frequently affects thalassaemics.