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Pediatric Congress 2019 Current Pediatric Research | ISSN: 0971-9032 | Volume 23
Page 20
July 25-26, 2019 | Amsterdam, Netherlands
OF EXCELLENCE
IN INTERNATIONAL
MEETINGS
YEARS
International Conference on
PEDIATRICS AND NEONATOLOGY
HYALURONIC ACID AS A SERUM MARKER OF HEPATIC FIBROSIS IN CHILDREN CHRON-
ICALLY INFECTEDWITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS
Aisha A Sehari, Sana Barakat and Ashraf M Ayad
University of Tripoli, Libya
C hronic hepatitis C is one of the major causes of liver disease throughout the world; nearly 170 million in-
dividuals are affected with the highest prevalence in Egypt. In Libya the prevalence of HCV was found to
be 1.6 % among general population. The course and outcome of HCV infection is highly variable, form silent
disease to development of cirrhosis and end stage liver disease. Most children with HCV progress to chronic
HCV infection. Assessment of hepatic fibrosis is important for determining prognosis, guiding management
decisions and monitoring disease. Histological evaluation of liver biopsy is currently considered the reference
test for staging hepatic fibrosis. Since liver biopsy carries a small but significant risk; non-invasive methods to
assess hepatic fibrosis are desirable. Among the non-invasive methods: serum markers, models and imaging
which are easy to perform. Serum markers of fibrosis include, direct markers (ECM) proteins which reflect bal-
ance between fibrogenesis and fibrolysis turnover and indirect markers, which reflect alterations in hepatic
function. In the present study author’s aim is to evaluate the diagnostic utility of hyaluronic acid (HA) in de-
tecting the stage of fibrosis in children chronically infected with HCV. To achieve this goal, 60 chronically HCV
infected and 25 healthy children were included in this study. All children were evaluated clinically. CBC, Liver
profile, renal functions tests, Cholesterol, hyaluronic acid (HA) and Ultrasound (U/S) were done to all children
(Cases and control). Percutaneous ultrasound guided liver biopsies were performed and classified according
to Ishak scoring system in HCV infected children only. HCV studied children were divided into two groups;
non-significant fibrosis (Stages 0/6, 1/6 and 2/6) and significant fibrosis (Stages 3/6 and 4/6). Statistical analysis
of data obtained from the present study showed the following results: Patients and control group were age
and sex matched; Only AST and ALT were higher in HCV children than control with significant difference and by
using cut-off value of24µg/L one could predict absence or presence of significant fibrosis. Significant fibrosis
can be predicted by a HA level of <24μg/l for its presence (PPV of 27.3%) and of <24μg/l for its absence (NPV
of 100), with AUC of 0.747.
Aisha A Sehari et al., Curr Pediatr Res 2019, Volume 23
Aisha A Sehari has been graduated from Tripoli University in January 1981 as Medical Doctor (MBBCh), with the specialties and
Diploma in Pediatric (DCH) from the same University. Later she obtained post-graduation from Alexandria University and got Mas-
ter Degree and Doctor of Pediatrics (MD) in pediatric gastroenterology. She started working at government university hospitals in
Tripoli (Al khadra, Salahdin and Algala children hospital) and Gharrian teaching hospital where she has continued her research. Also
she joined royal hospital for sick children (Glasgow) and Alexandria University Children hospital during her post graduate study.
Currently she is working at Tripoli University, Medical College and Pediatric Department as Assistant Professor and helping Gharrian
Medical College in the teaching program once per week.
BIOGRAPHY