Autoimmune hepatitis in 828 Brazilian children and adolescents: clinical and laboratory findings, histological profile, treatments, and outcomes

Journal Title: Jornal de Pediatria - Year 2019, Vol 95, Issue 4

Abstract

Objective This large study with a long-term follow-up aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, histological profile, treatments, and outcomes of children and adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis. Methods The medical records of 828 children and adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis were reviewed. A questionnaire was used to collect anonymous data on clinical presentation, biochemical and histological findings, and treatments. Results Of all patients, 89.6% had autoimmune hepatitis-1 and 10.4% had autoimmune hepatitis-2. The female sex was predominant in both groups. The median age at symptom onset was 111.5 (6; 210) and 53.5 (8; 165) months in the patients with autoimmune hepatitis 1 and autoimmune hepatitis-2, respectively. Acute clinical onset was observed in 56.1% and 58.8% and insidious symptoms in 43.9% and 41.2% of the patients with autoimmune hepatitis-1 and autoimmune hepatitis-2, respectively. The risk of hepatic failure was 1.6-fold higher for autoimmune hepatitis-2. Fulminant hepatic failure occurred in 3.6% and 10.6% of the patients with autoimmune hepatitis-1 and autoimmune hepatitis-2, respectively; the risk was 3.1-fold higher for autoimmune hepatitis-2. The gamma globulin and immunoglobulin G levels were significantly higher in autoimmune hepatitis-1, while the immunoglobulin A and C3 levels were lower in autoimmune hepatitis-2. Cirrhosis was observed in 22.4% of the patients; biochemical remission was achieved in 76.2%. The actuarial survival rate was 93.0%. A total of 4.6% underwent liver transplantation, and 6.9% died (autoimmune hepatitis-1: 7.5%; autoimmune hepatitis-2: 2.4%). Conclusions In this large clinical series of Brazilian children and adolescents, autoimmune hepatitis-1 was more frequent, and patients with autoimmune hepatitis-2 exhibited higher disease remission rates with earlier response to treatment. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis-1 had a higher risk of death.

Authors and Affiliations

Gilda Porta

Keywords

Related Articles

Evaluation of clinical and laboratory variables associated with anemia in pediatric patients on hemodialysis

Objective To identify the occurrence of anemia in pediatric patients on hemodialysis and the association between hemoglobin levels and anemia in CKD-related variables. Methods This was a retrospective study. Patients ag...

Prevalence and factors associated with stunting and excess weight in children aged 0-5 years from the Brazilian semi-arid region

Objective To analyze the prevalence of excess weight and low height, and identify associated factors among children younger than five years. Methods Cross-census study. A total of 1,640 children from two municipalities...

Cost analysis of substitutive renal therapies in children

Objective End-stage renal disease is a health problem that consumes public and private resources. This study aimed to identify the cost of hemodialysis (either daily or conventional hemodialysis) and transplantation in c...

Brain-focused care in the neonatal intensive care unit: the time has come

Survival rates for extremely preterm infants and for critically ill term newborns have improved steadily over the last several decades; however, these same babies continue to experience high rates of adverse neurodevelop...

Is willingness to exercise programmed in utero? Reviewing sedentary behavior and the benefits of physical activity in intrauterine growth restricted individuals

Objective The literature suggests that a fetus will adapt to surrounding adversities by optimizing its use of energy to improve survival, ultimately leading to the programming of the individual's energy intake and expend...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP612706
  • DOI 10.1016/j.jped.2018.04.007
  • Views 49
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Gilda Porta (2019). Autoimmune hepatitis in 828 Brazilian children and adolescents: clinical and laboratory findings, histological profile, treatments, and outcomes. Jornal de Pediatria, 95(4), 419-427. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-612706