A neonate with abdominal distension and failure to thrive

A full-term male was born after a pregnancy complicated between 22 and 31 weeks of gestation by non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIH). At 48 h of life, the physical examination revealed jaundice, which was treated successfully with conventional phototherapy for 24 h, and mild hepatomegaly, which was not promptly investigated. At 20 days of life, the patient presented with a clinical picture of failure to thrive and significant abdominal distension (figure 1). Liver and spleen were palpable at 7 and 8 cm below the costal margin, respectively. The patient was dystrophic without dysmorphic features or signs of neurological involvement. Liver enzyme levels and cholestasis indices were significantly altered (aspartate aminotransferase 126 U/L gamma glutamyl transferase 283 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 533 U/L, total bilirubin 58 mmol/L, conjugated bilirubin 41 mmol/L), while leucocyte count, haemoglobin level, coagulation parameters, albumin and serum glucose level were normal. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed severe hepatosplenomegaly and ascites, without gallbladder and biliary tract alterations. Blood flow...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Liver disease, Pancreas and biliary tract, Oncology, Immunology (including allergy), Travel medicine, Tropical medicine (infectious diseases), Echocardiography, Pregnancy, Reproductive medicine, Failure to thrive, Radiology, Physiotherapy, Cystic fibrosis Source Type: research