Autoimmune Liver Disease in Children

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in children was characterized by inflammatory liver histology, specific autoantibodies, and elevated transaminases and serum immunoglobulins without a known cause. The study described two types of AIH, with a female preponderance, and reported on 6 patients (5 girls, 1 boy) with varied presentations. Five patients had Type-1 AIH and one had Type-2 AIH. Presentations included jaundice, recurrent jaundice, and failure to thrive with hepatosplenomegaly and alopecia partialis. Three patients with Type-1 AIH treated with oral prednisolone achieved remission within 6 months, while the remaining three patients refused treatment. Other liver diseases were ruled out.