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| CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL FORUM |
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| Year : 2018 | Volume
: 64
| Issue : 2 | Page : 104-108 |
Indian childhood cirrhosis – down but not out: Report of a rare case with a practical clinicopathological diagnostic approach
K Gaur1, P Sakhuja1, RN Mandal2, S Kapoor2
1 Department of Pathology, GB Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, New Delhi, India
2 Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
Correspondence Address:
Prof. P Sakhuja
Department of Pathology, GB Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, New Delhi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_359_17
Indian childhood cirrhosis is an entity believed to be on the verge of extinction. We present the case of a 13-month-old girl presenting acutely with jaundice, fever, and persistently increasing bilirubin. Investigations revealed direct hyperbilirubinemia, elevated transaminases, anemia, a blood with few schistocytes, positive direct coombs test, and deranged prothrombin time. Viral, autoimmune, and metabolic workup was unremarkable. Ultrasonography showed chronic liver disease, portal hypertension, and ascites. Due to numerous confounding factors and a low index of suspicion, the diagnosis of Indian childhood cirrhosis remained elusive and was clinched only on liver biopsy, albeit more than three weeks later, shortly after which the child expired. The timing and technique of the liver biopsy may have profound impact on the ultimate clinical outcome. Close coordination between the clinical and pathological teams is essential for deciphering acute presentations where the etiology is uncertain. We highlight the clinical considerations, varied morphological pointers, and offer a diagnostic algorithm facilitating the consideration of this disease.
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