Prognostic value of porta-hepatis lymphadenopathy in children with hepatitis A

• Published in: Journal of medical ultrasound Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 272 - 276
• Main Authors: Mashhadi, Amin, Khalili, Manijeh, Moghaddam, Alireza, Zadehmir, Mohadeseh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.10.2022; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Original; lymph node; porta-hepatis; Hepatitis A; ultrasound; pediatric
• ISSN: 0929-6441; 2212-1552
• DOI: 10.4103/jmu.jmu_196_21

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 (n = 57) was significantly higher in aspartate and alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels compared to Group B (P < 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 (n = 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.