Childhood liver diseases in Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, South Africa

Objective: To determine the pattern of liver diseases diagnosed in children at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital Histopathology Laboratory. Design: A retrospective study. Setting: Ga-Rankuwa Histopathology Laboratory. Subjects: Seventy two patients who underwent a liver biopsy during the stud y period. Methods: Laboratory records were reviewed and all liver biopsies were extra cted. All slides were reviewed by the author to confirm the diagnoses. The findings were compared with similar studies elsewhere. Results: Biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis were the most common diseas es. Metabolic liver diseases were rarely encountered, Conclusion: Neonatal hepatitis and biliary atresia are not uncommon amongst children who underwent liver biopsy at this hospital.