Hepatic steatosis: a frequent nan-specific finding in HIV-infected children

Thirty HIV-infected children were cross-sectionally examined for morphologi c hepatic abnormalities, using ultrasonography or histology. Abdominal ultr asonography was performed in 27 children. The liver structure was normal in four patients, one of whom had moderate symptoms of the HIV infection and three of them severe symptoms. Abnormal liver structure, compatible with he patic steatosis, was found in 23 (85%) patients. Five of them were in an ea rly stage of the HIV infection (category N or A), three patients were ranke d in category B and 15 patients in category C. Histological examination of the liver was performed in 11 children and steatosis was documented in ten (91%). In seven (70%) of these ten children steatosis had been suspected by ultrasonography. In conclusion, steatosis is common in HIV-infected childr en. It is non-specific and has no impact on disease, diagnostic evaluation or management. Conclusion Ultrasonography is a sensitive, accurate, non-invasive screening tool. It is more reliable than liver function tests.