Chronic Hepatitis in Childhood

Reference work entry

Chronic hepatitis refers to an ongoing inflammatory process within the liver. This inflammation is reflected by clinical signs and symptoms of hepatitis, abnormally high serum levels of liver enzymes, or by a spectrum of pathological and histological changes. The evolution of these inflammatory changes is variable, whereby the inflammation may subside, may persist unchanged, or may progress to more severe disease and possibly cirrhosis.

The definition of chronicity with respect to hepatitis in childhood does not follow the same criteria used in adults. International criteria used to define chronic hepatitis in adults demand evidence of continued hepatic inflammatory activity for a period exceeding 6 months. Most pediatric hepatologists, however, consider 3 months of persistent inflammation as an adequate time frame to exclude an acute hepatic inflammatory insult. At that point, the diagnosis is confirmed by obtaining a liver biopsy. This more aggressive approach enables early diagnosis...

Keywords

Chronic Hepatitis Sustained Virologic Response Autoimmune Hepatitis HBeAg Seroconversion Tienilic Acid 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of PediatricsCollege of Medicine University of ArizonaTucsonUSA

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