COMPARING CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS AND LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS OF ACUTE VIRAL HEPATITIS IN AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT

Abstract

Introduction: During the last 30 years, Paediatric hepatology has been transformed by advances in our understanding and management of a wide spectrum of liver diseases. Globally however, viral hepatitis remains one of the most important causes of liver disease in children. Typical symptoms of acute hepatitis are fatigue, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. Very high aminotransferase values (>1000 U/L) and hyperbilirubinemia are often observed. The objective of the study was to compare the clinical diagnosis and laboratory diagnosis.

Methodology: The current study was conducted in Paediatric department of tertiary care hospital of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It was a record based cross sectional study. Complete data of basic socio demographic profile, symptoms, signs, all laboratory investigations, outcome of patients were obtained and analysed.

Results: There were total 150 cases of symptoms of acute viral hepatitis fulfilling inclusion criteria in Paediatric department. It was observed that first rise in cases was seen in the month of June and another peak was seen in the month of September. After September, there was rapid fall in total number of cases. Yellow sclera (94.67%) and yellow colour urine (93.33%) were most common symptoms reported by patients, followed by fever (88.67%) & loss of appetite (73.33%). Icterus (94.67%) and Subcostal Tenderness (66.67%) were most common sign.

Conclusion: Clinical diagnosis corresponds laboratory investigations and whenever laboratory facility is not accessible, further management should be started at the earliest as per clinical diagnosis of viral hepatitis in children to prevent mortality. Majority of the patients had bilirubin below 10 mg/dl 126 patients (84%), while 12 (8%), patients had bilirubin up to 15, 7 (4.67%) between 15-20 mg/dl. Mean Serum bilirubin was 7.28 mg/dl.