Call GI Care for Kids in the Greater Atlanta area at (404) 257-0799
Overview
The doctors at GI Care for Kids frequently evaluate liver diseases. Many children and young adults are referred to our offices due to hepatitis, which means an inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis may be detected due to the presence of signs and symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, yellow eyes, dark urine, poor appetite, abdominal pain, or pale stools. In other cases, it is discovered during routine blood work.
Causes of hepatitis
Hepatitis can be caused by a variety of factors. Often, doctors first suspect viral infections like hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and Epstein-Barr viruses. However, other infections can cause hepatitis. Additionally, noninfectious causes can include autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, alpha-one antitrypsin deficiency, fatty liver, gallstones, drug or toxin-related liver disease (including alcohol and acetaminophen overdoses), Wilson disease, celiac disease, iron overload, and some muscle diseases.
It is important to realize that having hepatitis doesn’t mean a child will automatically be spreading hepatitis to other children. While hepatitis A can be transmitted to others through contact with body fluids, other forms of infectious hepatitis aren’t easily transmitted. For example, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are only transmitted through contact with blood from an infected person or through sexual activity. Hepatitis B and C aren’t passed by touching, playing, or sharing a classroom.
Diagnosis & treatment
As is the case with many types of liver disease, the liver can recover on its own, without specific treatment. However, treatment is sometimes necessary to improve.
To evaluate liver disease, blood tests must be ordered. Sometimes, it is necessary to perform a series of blood tests over days or weeks to diagnose the cause of the liver inflammation. An ultrasound of the liver may also be needed. This is a simple diagnostic test that doesn’t require needles or radiation but can locate gallstones or cysts, and show evidence of inflammation of the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas, as well as scarring of the liver. When persistent liver problems occur, a liver biopsy may be recommended to further evaluate the severity and the cause of the problem.
How we can help
The pediatric gastroenterologists at GI Care for Kids are experts in pediatric liver diseases. Additionally, Dr. Jay Hochman and Dr. Jeffrey Lewis have special interests in treating hepatitis B and hepatitis C and have participated in national research studies with some of the newest medications for these diseases.
As always, please bring all previous liver tests to the first appointment with us at GI Care for Kids.
More information about hepatitis and liver disease in children
- Acute and Chronic Liver Disease (North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition or NASPGHAN)
- American Liver Foundation
- Wilson Disease
- GI Kids (the educational outreach arm of NASPGHAN)
- Hepatitis B Foundation
- Liver Disease (National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Nutrition4kids.com, (a resource for parents who want to feed their kids well regardless of medical challenges or allergies. Subscribe for personalized updates)
- Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDS)