Aim: To evaluate how correct is made the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in children, comparing the adults scoring systems – the 1999 revised scoring system by International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group and the 2007 Simplified Scoring System. The inaccuracies in diagnosis have been analysed.
Methods: The two scoring systems have been applied for 28 children with AIH pre-treatment and 28 with Hepatitis B infection – matched by sex and age, all diagnosed between 2010 and 2017 in an emergency children’s hospital in Bucharest, Romania. They were retrospectively followed throughout the period assessed.
Results: Autoimmune hepatitis was present in 85.7% cases according to the 1999 revised score, respectively, 57.0% as per the 2007 simplified score. The 2007 simplified score led to false negative results when AIH was associated with another autoimmune disease (p = 0.009). Patients who did not undergo liver biopsy were associated with a downgraded diagnosis by the 2007 simplified score (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: There is a need for a scoring system tailored to children’s characteristics. Two compulsory components of the future score might be liver biopsy and associated autoimmune disorders. The existing scores could be used in children with consideration, preferably both at once and together with liver biopsy for increased accuracy.
【저자키워드】 Liver Biopsy, Autoimmune hepatitis scoring systems, Autoimmune-associated disorders, Paediatric autoimmune hepatitis.,