Chronic liver dysfunction in multitransfused hemophiliacs.

Liver dysfunction and exposure to the hepatitis B antigen were assessed by serum transaminase (SGPT and SGOT) levels and HBsAg and anti-HBs during a three year period in a group of 118 patients with factor VIII or factor IX deficiency. The 107 HBsAg negative patients were divided into four groups according to their mode of therapy. Persistently abnormal transaminase values were present in 51 per cent of patients with a large exposure to factor VIII concentrates, in 43 per cent with a small factor VIII exposure and in 37 per cent exposed to prothrombin complexes. This was contrasted with abnormalities in 8 per cent of patients treated only with cryoprecipitate. The incidence and degree of serum transaminase abnormality appeared independent of a past history of jaundice. All patients without persistent antigenemia who had been treated with pooled plasma products showed antibodies to HBsAg. High titer anti-HBs prior to initial fraction therapy appeared protective against jaundice. The eleven patients with persistent antigenemia had significantly higher transaminase levels than the HBsAg negative group.