Pattern of chronic liver disease in Omani children--a clinicopathological review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Hepatology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Chronic liver disease presents a significant health concern in pediatric populations worldwide.
• Understanding the specific etiological patterns of liver disease in children is crucial for effective diagnosis and management.
• Limited data exists on the prevalence and types of chronic liver disease among Omani children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the epidemiological and etiological patterns of chronic liver disease in Omani children.
• To establish a baseline understanding of pediatric liver conditions in Oman.
• To inform future research and clinical strategies for managing liver diseases in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study was conducted on 76 Omani children (43 males, 33 females) aged 4 days to 10 years.
• Patients were referred to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital's Pediatric Gastroenterology clinic between 1995 and 2000.
• All participants underwent liver biopsy, with tissue samples processed and examined for histological diagnoses.

Main Results:

• Neonatal hepatitis was the most common histological diagnosis (22 cases).
• Other significant diagnoses included biliary atresia (9), biliary hypoplasia (7), cirrhosis (7), and congenital hepatic fibrosis (5).
• Hepatomegaly, with or without jaundice, was the primary clinical indication for liver biopsy in most cases.

Conclusions:

• The study provides essential background data on the spectrum of chronic liver diseases affecting children in Oman.
• Neonatal hepatitis syndrome emerged as the most prevalent diagnosis in children under two years of age.
• These findings underscore the importance of early detection and intervention for specific pediatric liver conditions in the region.