Clinical features of drug-induced liver injury in children

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features of drug-induced liver injury in children. METHODS: The clinical data of the hospitalized children with drug-induced liver injury over 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Of 641 cases of hospitalized children with liver injury, there were 64 cases (10%) of drug-induced liver injury. Hepatocellular injury was the most common type of drug-induced liver injury (81%). The major drugs causing drug-induced liver injury included chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics and anti-tuberculosis drugs. Rash (16%), gastrointestinal reaction (15%), fever (14%) and liver intumescence (12%) were common clinical symptoms. A part of patients with drug-induced liver injury (11%) had no symptoms and signs. CONCLUSIONS: Drug-induced liver injury is one of the common causes of liver damage in hospitalized children. Some children with drug-induced liver injury have no symptoms and signs. Hepatocellular injury is a major type of drug-induced liver injury in children, resulting less severe liver damage.