COPPER ASSOCIATED CHILDHOOD CIRRHOSIS

Several papers have reported severe liver disease in association with massive hepatic copper accumulation, which do not seem to be either of the recognised copper associated liver diseases, namely Wilson's dise ase and Indian childhood cirrhosis. A further case is reported in whic h novel copper kinetic studies were carried out using the stable isoto pe Cu-65, showing that this patient did not suffer from Wilson's disea se. It is suggested that these cases can be divided into two groups on the basis of age, clinical course, and history of excessive copper in gestion. The benefits of using Cu-65 for in vivo studies of copper met abolism is discussed.