Childhood liver diseases in Ga-Rankuwa hospital, South Africa

Abstract

Objective: To determine the pattern of liver diseases diagnosed in children at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital Histopathology Laboratory. Design: A retrospective study. Setting: Ga-Rankuwa Histopathology Laboratory. Subjects: Seventy two patients who underwent a liver biopsy during the study period. Methods: Laboratory records were reviewed and all liver biopsies were extracted. All slides were reviewed by the author to confirm the diagnoses. The findings were compared with similar studies elsewhere. Results: Biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis were the most common diseases. Metabolic liver diseases were rarely encountered. Conclusion: Neonatal hepatitis and biliary atresia are not uncommon amongst children who underwent liver biopsy at this hospital.