Liver dysfunction in patients with hemophilia.

The incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis and liver dysfunction is presented in fifty-four patients with classical hemophilia who received episodic and/or prophylactic Factor VIII concentrate. 42.5% had persistent biochemical evidence of liver dysfunction with elevated SGOT and SGPT; 3.8% have persistent (HBs) antigenicity and 90% have (HBsAb) antibodies. The results are the same for those who were treated episodically and received an average of 753 units Factor VIII per week as those treated prophylactically who received an average of 686 Factor VIII units per week. The incidence of clinical and/or subclinical disease is unaffected by the transfusion regimen or the amount of concentrate used. The necessity for close follow is emphasized for determination of chronic liver disease and its further therapy.