Frequency of Causes of Portal Hypertension in Children
Kumar Sooraj1, Fnu Shivani2, Mahnoor Hassan Khan1
1Internal Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, PAK.
Insights
Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is the leading cause of pediatric portal hypertension (PH). Children over eight years old are more frequently affected by PVT, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Portal hypertension (PH) in children often stems from presinusoidal or sinusoidal obstruction.
- Extrahepatic causes like portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and biliary atresia are common.
- Understanding pediatric PH etiologies is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the spectrum of etiologies for pediatric portal hypertension (PH).
- To determine the most frequent cause of PH in children.
- To identify the age group most commonly affected by PH.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2020 in Pakistani tertiary care hospitals.
- One hundred pediatric patients (1 month to 15 years) diagnosed with PH were enrolled.
- Data analysis utilized SPSS version 20.
Main Results:
- The mean age of participants was 9.01 ± 2.81 years.
- Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was the most common cause of PH (63%).
- Liver cirrhosis (19%) and biliary atresia (18%) were also significant causes. Age over eight years showed a significant association with PVT (p=0.007).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric portal hypertension presents with diverse etiologies.
- PVT is the predominant cause of PH in the pediatric population studied.
- Identifying underlying causes of PH is essential for optimal patient outcomes and management strategies.
Abstract:
Introduction The most common etiology of portal hypertension (PH) in children is obstruction at the presinusoidal or sinusoidal level. In addition, portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and biliary atresia are the most prevalent extrahepatic causes. This study aims to evaluate all the possible etiologies leading to PH in the pediatric population and provide the most common cause associated with this condition along with the age group most frequently affected by it. Material and Methods From January 2018 to December 2020, a cross-sectional study was carried out in tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan. A total of 100 children, both male and female, aged one month to 15 years and diagnosed with PH, were enrolled for the evaluation for the causes of PH. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20, was used to analyze the data. Results The mean age of enrolled participants was 9.01 ± 2.81 years. It was found that PVT (63%) was the most common cause of PH, followed by liver cirrhosis (19%) and biliary atresia (18%). Age of more than eight years was significantly associated with PVT (p-value: 0.007). Conclusion In children, PH may be caused by a wide range of etiologies. It is imperative to understand the underlying etiologies contributing to PH for proper guidance and management, prevention, and overall outcomes.
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