Common Symptoms Of Pediatric Liver Disease
Posted on: 30 December 2020
Pediatric liver disease can be congenital, or it can be acquired during a child's life. When childhood liver diseases are recognized and treated early in their progression, your child will be less likely to develop complications such as organ failure and bleeding disorders. Here are some common symptoms of pediatric liver disease that need to be recognized early on so that the doctor can quickly implement a pediatric care plan.
Jaundice
Your child's pediatrician may suspect the presence of pediatric liver disease simply by looking at the patient. Liver disease, especially moderate to severe liver disease, can cause a rise in serum bilirubin. When bilirubin levels are high, this pigmented substance can cause jaundice, or the yellowing of skin and eyes. Jaundice may also cause severe itching and skin irritation.
While other conditions such as hepatitis, mononucleosis, and gallbladder disease can cause jaundice, pediatric liver disease cannot be ruled out until other diagnostic tests have been performed. Jaundice may also be accompanied by dark urine that is often referred to as tea-colored urine.
Pain and Organ Enlargement
Another sign of pediatric liver disease may be liver pain and organ enlargement. While the liver is the most likely organ to become enlarged in those with pediatric liver disease, other organs such as the gallbladder and spleen may also become enlarged. The pediatrician will assess the child for pain by gently pressing on all quadrants of the abdomen. If the child is non-verbal and unable to make their needs known, they may cry out in pain, grimace, or push away from the doctor when the liver is palpated.
The pediatrician will also press on the abdominal organs to assess for inflammation, nodularity, and irregularities in shape. If any of these manifestations are revealed during the physical examination, the doctor may recommend diagnostic imaging tests such as an ultrasound of the liver. If imaging tests reveal liver abnormalities, a biopsy of the liver may be necessary so that the doctor can make a definitive diagnosis.
If your child develops jaundice, severe itching, liver pain, or liver enlargement, make an appointment with the physician as soon as possible. When pediatric liver disease is diagnosed and treated in its beginning stages, your child may be more likely to enjoy a more favorable long-term prognosis. It is important to note, that while pediatric liver diseases typically cause signs and symptoms, it is occasionally asymptomatic. In these cases, the only indication of liver dysfunction may be from a routine blood test, which may reveal high liver enzymes.
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