Liver disease in the neonate, infant, child, and adolescent may manifest differently depending on the type of disorder. These disorders show marked overlap clinically and on light microscopy. Histology and ultrastructural examination are used in tandem for the diagnosis of most disorders. A final diagnosis or interpretation of the pediatric liver biopsy depends on appropriate and adequate clinical history, laboratory test results, biochemical assays, and molecular analyses, as indicated by the light microscopic and ultrastructural examination.
Key points
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Main histologic patterns of liver injury in children include cholestatic, storage, steatotic, hepatitic, cirrhotic, and neoplastic patterns.
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Ultrastructural examination may be essential for diagnosis in some pediatric liver diseases.
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Hepatic neoplasia may occur in children with metabolic diseases, so investigation for an underlying metabolic disease may be warranted for patient and family.

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