Ferri PM, Ferreira AR, Miranda DM, Simões e Silva AC. Diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis in children: A challenge for pediatric hepatologists. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18(33): 4470-4473 [PMID: 22969217 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i33.4470]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ana Cristina Simões e Silva, MD, PhD, National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil. acssilva@hotmail.com
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Field Of Vision
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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2012; 18(33): 4470-4473 Published online Sep 7, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i33.4470
Diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis in children: A challenge for pediatric hepatologists
Priscila Menezes Ferri, Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, Débora Marques Miranda, Ana Cristina Simões e Silva
Priscila Menezes Ferri, Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, School Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil
Débora Marques Miranda, Ana Cristina Simões e Silva, National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil
Author contributions: Ferri PM collected the materials and wrote the manuscript; Ferreira AR and Miranda DM discussed the topic and revised the text; Simões e Silva AC conceived the manuscript and made the general supervision.
Correspondence to: Ana Cristina Simões e Silva, MD, PhD, National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil. acssilva@hotmail.com
Telephone: +55-31-93600007 Fax: +55-31-34099772
Received: June 25, 2012 Revised: August 7, 2012 Accepted: August 14, 2012 Published online: September 7, 2012
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a progressive inflammatory liver disorder that is rare in children and adolescents. AIH has a broad clinical spectrum and a quick response to treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medication. The available diagnosis criteria have limitations and should be evaluated in pediatric populations. Recently, some studies reported that the 2008 simplified diagnostic criteria for AIH could be used in children with high sensibility and specificity. In addition, the authors reported that globulin and immunoglobulin G levels can be used interchangeably for diagnostic purposes. They also demonstrated that the 2008 simplified criteria fail in identifying patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Here, we discuss the limitations of the use of these criteria in pediatric patients and the requirement of more studies to improve the diagnosis of AIH in children.
