[Copper-induced liver cirrhosis in a 13-month old boy]

A micronodular liver cirrhosis with a massive accumulation of copper in hepatocytes was found in a 13-months old boy. The causal factor was due to the increased copper concentration within the drinking water, which caused liver disease of the boy who had been completely weaned at the age of four weeks. The cooper concentration found in the drinking water exceeded 12 mg/l after a twelve hour stagnation time; after several days of stagnation the highest measured concentration was 28.6 mg/l. This increase is caused by the combined effect of copper pipes and acidulous well water.