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Updated: Nov 11, 2025

Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
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Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis

Published on: August 29, 2025

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Biopsy-proven liver cirrhosis in young children: A 10-year cohort study

Yi Dong1, Aiqin Li1, Shishu Zhu1

  • 1The Fifth Medical Center (formerly Beijing 302 Hospital), Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Journal of Viral Hepatitis
|March 25, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant cause of pediatric cirrhosis in young children. Effective antiviral therapy can lead to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss in some patients, indicating potential for recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
  • Viral Hepatitis Research
  • Childhood Liver Disease Studies

Background:

  • Early childhood-onset cirrhosis presents a high mortality risk with limited research.
  • Understanding the etiology and clinical course of cirrhosis in young children is crucial for improved outcomes.
  • Biopsy-proven cirrhosis in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers requires dedicated investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causes, clinical manifestations, and prognosis of biopsy-proven cirrhosis in early childhood.
  • To identify key etiological factors contributing to pediatric cirrhosis.
  • To evaluate the outcomes of antiviral therapy in children with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis.

Main Methods:

  • A 10-year prospective study (2010-2020) enrolled 139 children with biopsy-proven cirrhosis.
  • Etiologies were determined through comprehensive clinical and laboratory assessments.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was identified as a primary cause, with outcomes of antiviral therapy analyzed.
  • Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss.

Main Results:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was identified in 33.3% (31/93) of confirmed pediatric cirrhosis cases.
  • Glycogen storage disease (16 cases) and Wilson disease (14 cases) were other significant etiologies.
  • Antiviral therapy led to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss in 29.0% (9/31) of HBV-infected children.
  • Baseline alanine aminotransferase levels independently predicted HBsAg loss (OR 1.008, p=0.028).
  • One patient demonstrated histological improvement after a second biopsy.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major contributor to cirrhosis in young children.
  • Antiviral therapy shows promise for managing HBV-related pediatric cirrhosis, with potential for viral marker clearance.
  • Further research into the pathogenesis of HBV-related cirrhosis in early childhood is warranted.

Keywords:
childreninfantsliver cirrhosis

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