Pediatric hepatologists are children’s liver doctors. We treat the complex liver conditions, gall bladder, pancreas including liver cancer and conditions that need a liver transplant. An infection or another condition can cause liver issues in children and young adults. Some newborns are born with liver problems.
Our body organs and systems rely on the liver for the proper functioning of the body. Liver and intestinal health may be related. As a result, some paediatric gastroenterologists, or specialists in children's digestive health, also practise hepatology.
Dr. Jaya Agarwal is well known specialist in pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology with vast experience in India and abroad.
This is a pathological condition and needs medical attention when jaundice in baby persists beyond 2 weeks of life. It is characterized by conjugated hyperbilirubinemia which can result in life-threatening complications.
Hepatitis viruses are viruses that attack the liver. They are of many types including types A, B, C, D, E, and even G.. All hepatitis viruses can cause acute hepatitis and liver failure in severe cases.
New-borns who have persistent unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia beyond 2 weeks of life may have enzyme deficiencies. Early identification of infants is critical so that a correct diagnosis is made and the appropriate therapy is instituted.
There are a number of metabolic conditions that may cause chronic liver disease which leads to early cirrhosis and liver cancer. Metabolic conditions in children are treatable if diagnosed early.
The condition where scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue is called Cirrhosis. It prevents the liver from normal functioning and is a chronic condition that deteriorates with time.
Hardened deposits of digestive fluid that form in the gallbladder are called gall stones. If they cause symptoms like pain abdomen or jaundice, consultation should be sought for.
Congenital conditions involving cystic dilatation of bile ducts are called Choledochal cysts Children with choledochal cysts have a higher rate of cancer of the bile duct in adulthood. Early treatment can help reduce these risks.
The common cause of Extrahepatic portal hypertension is portal vein thrombosis where child may have enlarged spleen and blood in vomitings and growth failure.
Liver function that fails rapidly in days or weeks is termed acute liver failure. This can have serious complications including bleeding and increased pressure in the brain which can lead to coma.
Infection in liver can lead to pus formation and its collections. This is a serious illness and needs urgent treatment.
Abnormal masses of tissue in the liver that form when cells begin to reproduce at an increased rate are called tumors. Noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) tumors can develop in the liver.