IMPORTANCE OF NEEDLE BIOPSY IN THE ANALYSIS OF PEDIATRIC LIVER DISORDERS

Aim: To recognize the usefulness of liver biopsy in diagnosis and document the spectrum of liver disease in children. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study at the Department of Pediatrics and Histopathology of the Services Institute of Medical Sciences and its attached hospital from April 2019 to April 2020. Liver biopsies were obtained with a Menghini needle. Fixed tissues were processed under standard conditions. Results: A total of 100 cases ranging in age from 1.5 months to 16 years were examined over the four years. The most common histological results in order of frequency are secondary hemochromatosis (30%), biliary atresia (20%), storage disorders (16%), cirrhosis (10%) and neonatal hepatitis (10%). Less common subjects were chronic hepatitis (6%), nonspecific reactive hepatitis (3%) and granulomatous hepatitis (1%). One case of hepatoblastoma, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and congenital fibrosis has also been reported. These findings were compared with local and international histological studies. Conclusion: Liver biopsy is a useful diagnostic technique for diagnosing liver disease in children. Biliary atresia, stunning disorders and neonatal hepatitis are the most common entities in our team. Key Words: liver biopsy, diagnosis, liver disease