PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - D M Danks
AU  - P E Campbell
AU  - A L Smith
AU  - J Rogers
TI  - Prognosis of babies with neonatal hepatitis.
AID  - 10.1136/adc.52.5.368
DP  - 1977 May 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood
PG  - 368--372
VI  - 52
IP  - 5
4099  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/52/5/368.short
4100  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/52/5/368.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child1977 May 01; 52
AB  - 105 babies with neonatal hepatitis were studied carefully and followed for up to 11 1/2 years. Ascertainment was complete for those with severe and persistent jaundice, but less complete for mild or anicteric cases. Prognosis was found to be poor (40% death or cirrhosis) in babies with perisitently acholic stools, but relatively good (less than 15% death or cirrhosis) in those with jaundice which was less persistent and less obstructive. The presence of second diseases (including alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency or a family history of other affected children) seemed to play a part in determining poor prognosis. A distinctive group of babies (22 cases) presented with acute fulminant illness (with or without jaundice) in the neonatal period. Cytomegalovirus infection carried a relatively good prognosis. Guidelines for selection of patients for therapeutic trials are suggested.