Prognostic Value of Porta-Hepatis Lymphadenopathy in Children with Hepatitis A.

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of porta-hepatis lymphadenopathy (PHL) in children with hepatitis A virus.

METHODS

The present prospective cohort study included 123 pediatric patients with a definite diagnosis of hepatitis A who were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of PHL in their abdominal ultrasound: Group A included the patients with a porta-hepatis lymph node of >6 mm in diameter, whereas the patients with a porta-hepatis lymph node of <6 mm in diameter were classified in Group B. The patients were also classified based on the presence or absence of para-aortic lymphadenopathy: Group C had bisecting para-aortic lymph nodes, whereas Group D did not have such findings in their ultrasound. Afterward, the groups were compared in laboratory investigation results and hospital stay.

RESULTS

According to our results, Group A ( = 57) was significantly higher in aspartate and alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels compared to Group B ( < 0.05), whereas these two groups were not significantly different in the hospital stay. Furthermore, except bilirubin, all laboratory test results were significantly higher in Group C ( = 3) than in Group D. However, there was no significant correlation between the patients' prognosis with the absence or presence of porta-hepatis or para-aortic lymphadenopathy.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that there was no significant relationship between porta-hepatis or para-aortic lymphadenopathy and the prognosis of the children with hepatitis A. However, ultrasound findings can help determine the disease severity in pediatric patients with hepatitis A.