From the Research
Etiology of Liver Abscess in Pediatric Patients from India
- The etiology of liver abscess in pediatric patients from India is primarily pyogenic, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common pathogen 1.
- A study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in India found that Escherichia coli was the predominant organism cultured in patients with liver abscess 2.
- Another study found that amebic liver abscess (ALA) is a common cause of pediatric liver abscess in endemic regions, and it is difficult to differentiate from pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) clinically 3.
Clinical Profile of Liver Abscess in Pediatric Patients from India
- The clinical profile of liver abscess in pediatric patients from India typically presents with fever, hepatomegaly, and right upper quadrant tenderness 3.
- A study found that the triad of fever, hepatomegaly, and right upper quadrant tenderness was seen in 80.2% of children with liver abscess 3.
- Another study found that fever with chills was the most common symptom, followed by right upper quadrant pain, vomiting, and pleural effusion 4.
Predictors of Complications in Pediatric Liver Abscess
- A study found that children with complicated liver abscess had higher alanine transaminase, prolonged prothrombin time/international normalized ratio, low serum protein, and albumin levels 3.
- Another study found that age-related leukocytosis, neutrophilia, elevated aspartate transaminase or alanine transaminase, and hypoalbuminemia at presentation are predictors of poor outcomes in pediatric liver abscess 5.
Treatment and Outcome of Liver Abscess in Pediatric Patients from India
- The treatment of liver abscess in pediatric patients from India typically involves antimicrobial therapy along with percutaneous drainage or open surgical drainage 1.
- A study found that percutaneous catheter drainage is a safe and effective modality for the management of liver abscess in children 3.
- Another study found that the success rate of treatment was 100% for conservative management, 76.6% for percutaneous needle aspiration, 94.7% for ultrasound-guided percutaneous drain insertion, and 100% for open surgical drainage, with an overall mortality of 2.5% 5.