Hepatitis A super infection as a cause of liver failure in a child with Wilson's disease

Turk J Pediatr. 2007 Apr-Jun;49(2):199-202.

Abstract

Infection with hepatitis A virus can cause severe or even fatal illness in patients with chronic liver disease. Here we describe a seven-year-old girl who presented as acute liver failure and was diagnosed with Wilson's disease and later with coexistent hepatitis A infection. Wilson's disease was demonstrated on the basis of low ceruloplasmin, high urinary copper excretion, histological evidence of cirrhosis, and high biochemical estimation of liver copper concentration. Hepatitis A was diagnosed serologically. Our case suggests that acute hepatitis A may play a part in the acute decompensation seen in some cases of unrecognized Wilson's disease. We also emphasize the importance of prevention measures of hepatitis A infection in patients with chronic liver disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hepatitis A / complications*
  • Hepatitis A / diagnosis
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / complications*
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Liver Failure, Acute / diagnosis
  • Liver Failure, Acute / etiology*