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[Treatment of chronic infantile hepatitis with D-penicillamine (author's transl)]
Insights
D-Penicillamine treatment showed favorable results in infants with chronic hepatitis, particularly those with Australia antigen-negative chronic active hepatitis. This therapy improved transaminases and liver histology over 5 to 24 months.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Chronic hepatitis in infancy presents a significant clinical challenge.
- Limited effective therapeutic options exist for pediatric liver disease.
- D-Penicillamine has been explored for its potential in managing chronic liver conditions.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of D-Penicillamine in treating chronic hepatitis in infants.
- To assess the impact of D-Penicillamine on biochemical markers and liver histology.
- To identify specific patient subgroups that may benefit most from this treatment.
Summary:
- Eighteen infants with various forms of chronic hepatitis (chronic-active, chronic persisting, subacute, and fibrosis) were treated with D-Penicillamine.
- Doses ranged from 15 to 35 mg/kg body weight over treatment durations of 5 to 24 months.
- Treatment outcomes were monitored through clinical chemical investigations and serial liver biopsies, focusing on transaminase levels and histological changes.
Impact:
- D-Penicillamine demonstrated very favorable results in the majority of treated infants.
- Australia antigen-negative chronic active hepatitis emerged as a particularly responsive condition to D-Penicillamine therapy.
- The study provides evidence for D-Penicillamine as a viable treatment option for specific pediatric chronic hepatitis cases.
Abstract:
Detailed discussion of action, indication and side effects of D-Penicillamine which was used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis of infancy. Of 18 patients, 7 had chronic-active hepatitis, 6 chronic persisting hepatitis, 2 subacute hepatitis and 3 fibrosis of the liver. Control of results was based on numerous clinical chemical investigations and repeated liver biopsies. The transaminases and histology of the biopsies were the essential parameters. Doses between 15 and 35 mg/kg of body weight gave very favorable results in these 18 patients, treated over 5 to 24 months. Australia antigen-negative, chronic active hepatitis appeared to be particularly suited for this type of treatment.