Chronic liver disease in black children in Durban, South Africa.
In a prospective study of 130 South African black children with chronic liver disease, it was found that the aetiology differed from that reported from developed countries. The most common cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) was HBsAg (33 of 55 with cirrhosis and 24 of 28 with chronic active hepatitis) and Schistosoma mansoni infestation (41 children). Inherited, auto-immune, iatrogenic and cryptogenic disorders, which are the usual causes in the developed world, were less common. The majority of children seen in this series were in an asymptomatic compensated state in contrast to reports from some developed countries. It is concluded that because infection is a common cause of CLD in the Third World it may be preventable in many cases.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008109:Liver Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013019:South Africa