Autoimmune hepatitis in Iranian children

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and para-clinical presentation, including autoantibody pattern, and response to treatment in Iranian children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Methods: Data of 60 children presenting with AIH (56 girls) were analyzed retrospectively for clinical, serological and histological profile. Results: Clinical findings included jaundice (67%),hepatomegaly (50%) and ascites (30%). Forty children (38 girls) had type I AIH and 14 (12 girls) had type II AIH. Liver histology was comparable in the two groups and cirrhosis on initial biopsy was equally frequent in Types I and II AIH (63% vs 34%; p=ns). Conclusion: Our study describes the presentation and clinical course of Iranian children with AIH. Treatment with corticosteroids and/or azathioprine induces remission of autoimmune hepatitis clinically, biochemically as well as histologically. Copyright آ© 2007 by Indian Society of Gastroenterology.