[Liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis in childhood]

Clinical and pathological aspects of 9 cases of chronic persistent- and 14 cases of chronic aggressive hepatitis have been analyzed. Importance of the needle biopsy for diagnosis, control and treatment of the disease is emphasized. Differences in the histologic pattern of chronic hepatitis as compared to that of the adults are demonstrated (lack of plasma cells, moderate fibrosis, extreme variability of morphologic pattern in the same material, lack of the HBsAg positivity). Reported findings seem to evidence that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of chronic aggressive hepatitis may provide satisfactory prognosis.