Post-infantile giant cell hepatitis.

Six patients with post-infantile giant cell hepatitis (PIGCH) are reported. The age of the patients ranged from 12 to 74 years. One patient had acute giant cell hepatitis and complete restitution was established by biopsy. In five patients, giant cell formation was seen in chronic aggressive hepatitis with cirrhosis. Cirrhosis was demonstrated 5-11 months after the onset of hepatitis. All of these cases later became inactive, but in only one was evidence of inactivity obtained by liver biopsy. Giant cell hepatitis occurred in 0.25% of patients with post-infantile hepatitis; however, all but one of the PIGCH-cases were seen between 1972 and 1974. Hepatitis B markers were negative in all tested cases. The possibility of a special type of infection is discussed.