Evaluation of the Etiology and Prognosis of Portal Hypertension in Children: 10 years’ Experience in Northwest of Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the etiology and prognosis of portal hypertension in children in northwestern Iran during 10 years. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 73 children under the age of 18 years with hypertensive perinatal diagnosis who referred to the gastroenterology department of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences from 2007 to 2013 were examined. Clinical definition of hypertension in patients with splenomegaly and varicose veins of the esophagus or stomach. These children were evaluated for liver biopsy, abdominal ultrasound, liver doppler ultrasound. Results: In the mortality survey, 7 (9.7%) deaths were observed. Also, 84.7% of patients had successful treatment and were discharged. 35 patients (48.6%) were under sclerotherapy. Of these, 28 cases (80%) were treated and had a good response to sclerotherapy; 4 cases (11.4%) died and 3 cases (8.6%) underwent surgery. The most common cause of hypertension was related to cryptogenic cirrhosis with a frequency of 21 (28.8%).