Wilson's Disease in Bangladeshi Children: Analysis of 100 Cases.

PURPOSE

To evaluate clinical and laboratory profile of Wilson's disease (WD) in children.

METHODS

This cross sectional study was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital. Bangladesh, over a period of 3 years. One hundred consecutive children of WD between 3 to 18 years of age were evaluated.

RESULTS

Mean age was 8.5±1.5 years. Male female ratio was 2:1. Ninety-one percent of patients were Muslim and 9% Hindu. A total of 53% cases of hepatic WD presented between 5 to 10 years of age and most of the neurologic WD manifested in 10-15 years age group. Sixty-nine children presented only with hepatic manifestations, 6 only with neurological manifestations, 14 with both hepatic and neurological manifestation, 10 children was asymptomatic and 1 patient presented with psychiatric features. WD presented as chronic liver disease (CLD) in 42%, CLD with portal hypertension in 34%, acute hepatitis in 20% and fulminant hepatic failure in 4% cases. Stigmata of CLD were found in 18% patients. Keiser-Fleischser ring was found in 76% total patients. Elevated serum transaminase was found in 85% cases, prolonged prothrombin time in 59% cases and hypoalbuminaemia in 53% cases. A total of 73% patients had low serum ceruloplasmin, basal urinary copper of >100 µg/day was found in 81% cases and urinary copper following penicillamine challenge of >1,200 µg/day was found in 92% cases.

CONCLUSION

Majority of studied WD children presented with hepatic manifestation of which 76% presented with CLD. Any child presented with jaundice after the age of 3 years should be investigated for WD.