Clinical and Experimental Hepatology

Abstract

1/2024 vol. 10
Original paper

Have serum vitamin D and ferritin a role in predicting the prognosis of autoimmune hepatitis treatment in children?

Salma Abdel Megeed Nagi 1
,
Sania Ali Yehia 2
,
Yasmen Abdelaziz Elhagali 3
,
Shimaa Saad Elkholy 4
,
Basma Mahmoud Abd-Elaati 1
  1. Pediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Menoufia, Egypt
  2. Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Menoufia, Egypt
  3. Laboratory Medicine Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Menoufia, Egypt
  4. Pathology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Menoufia, Egypt
Clin Exp HEPATOL 2024; 10, 1: 53–61
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ceh.2024.136927
Online publish date: 2024/03/28
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Aim of the study:

To investigate whether serum ferritin and vitamin D levels before starting autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) treatment have a role in disease prognosis regarding a therapeutic response.

Material and methods:

The prospective study included 100 children diagnosed with AIH according to simplified criteria for diagnosis of AIH. They attended the Pediatric Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University. The patients underwent measurement of liver transaminases before starting AIH treatment after 6 months from starting therapy. They underwent liver biopsy before starting treatment for proper diagnosis, grading, and staging; only 25 cases were compliant and underwent liver biopsy before treatment withdrawal.

Results:

Serum ferritin and 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels were significantly higher among those with a complete response (1000-3100 ng/ml, 29-48 ng/ml) than a partial response (550-600 ng/ml, 23-28 ng/ml) and non-response (29.28-92.14, 2.16-8.72) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Our study showed a relation between serum vitamin D before starting AIH treatment, the severity of AIH and response to therapy. This opens a new area of research on the potential use of vitamin D in patients with AIH. Also, hyperferritinemia at the diagnosis can predict the treatment response.

Keywords

autoimmune hepatitis, ferritin, immunosuppressive therapy, serum vitamin D

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