Fulminant hepatic failure with typhoid fever in childhood.

Although hepatic dysfunction has been described among adults with typhoid, there are few reports of significant hepatic functional impairment in children with typhoid. Of 355 children with culture proven typhoid seen at the Aga Khan University Hospital, hepatomegaly was noted in 118 (33%) and isolated right hypochondrial tenderness in 30 (8.5%). The liver function tests were normal in 78% and 47% of these children respectively and significant hepatic dysfunction was seen only in 26 (7.3%). However, children with typhoid and significant hepatic dysfunction had higher mortality (P less than 0.001) and two patients presented with a picture of fulminant hepatic failure with fatal outcome.