Down syndrome and autoimmune chronic active hepatitis: satisfactory outcome with therapy.
A case of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (C.A.H.) in a 12-year old Down Syndrome child is described. This represents the second only documented case of autoimmune C.A.H. occurring in Down Syndrome; the first well-described case died from the disease. The patient described below had a satisfactory response to steroid therapy with restoration of normal liver histological appearances and function despite severe disease at presentation. Chronic hepatitis in Down Syndrome, although more usually of hepatitis B viral aetiology, may also be autoimmune in nature and resolve satisfactorily with appropriate therapy.
O'Mahony
D
D
Department of Gastroenterology and Histopathology, Regional Hospital, Wilton, Cork.
Whelton
M J
MJ
Hogan
J
J
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*