Congenital intrahepatic porto-systemic venous shunt with galactosemia

Kushaljit Singh Sodhi1, Babu Ram Thapa, Anuj Walia

  • 1Department of Radiodiagnosis, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160 012, India. sodhiks@rediffmail.com

Insights

A congenital intrahepatic porto-systemic venous shunt and galactosemia caused cholestatic jaundice in an infant. Treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid, calcium, and a galactose-free diet resolved symptoms within six weeks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Medical Genetics

Background:

  • Congenital intrahepatic porto-systemic venous shunt is a rare vascular anomaly.
  • Galactosemia is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting galactose metabolism.
  • Cholestatic jaundice in infants can result from various underlying conditions.

Observation:

  • A 51-day-old infant presented with cholestatic jaundice.
  • The infant had a diagnosed congenital intrahepatic porto-systemic venous shunt.
  • The infant also had galactosemia.

Findings:

  • The combined conditions of shunt and galactosemia led to severe cholestatic jaundice.
  • Treatment involved ursodeoxycholic acid, calcium supplementation, and a strict galactose-free diet.
  • The infant showed a complete clinical recovery and remained asymptomatic.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering metabolic disorders like galactosemia in infants with vascular anomalies and cholestasis.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate management, including dietary intervention, are crucial for favorable outcomes.
  • Further research may explore the interplay between vascular anomalies and metabolic diseases in pediatric liver conditions.

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