Liver Cirrhosis in a Patient with Crigler Najjar Syndrome

Crigler Najjar (CN) disease is a genetic disorder which results in increased unconjugated bilirubin level. Liver parenchyma was previously considered structurally normal. Recent reports describe significant fibrosis in the liver parenchyma of patients with CN syndrome.

We present a patient with persistent unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, clinically diagnosed as CN-2, with a UGT1 A1 p. H39D (c.115C > G) (His → Asp) mutation. She required hepatic transplantation at the age of 17.5 years for biliary cirrhosis. Explanted liver histopathology revealed regenerative cirrhotic nodules with dilated bile ducts filled with bile plugs.

CN can develop significant hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis requiring liver transplantation.