Pediatric autoimmune hepatitis: need for early diagnosis and rapid treatment

Abstract

Objective: To identify the diagnostic parameters of pediatric autoimmune hepatitis in order to favor the accuracy and precocity of the diagnosis and subsequent positive prognosis through the use of appropriate therapeutic measures. Methods: This is an Integrative Bibliographic Review carried out through searches in the databases, Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (Lilacs), Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo) and PubMed. 557 studies were found and, after the inclusion criteria, 10 studies were selected to compose. Results: The clinical presentations of AIH are not specific. In this context, the diagnostic parameters are based in addition to the clinical characteristics, which include biochemical, immunological and histological methods for their confirmation. Therapeutic measures are promptly instituted after diagnosis, whose intention is to reduce progressive liver damage and the main choices are corticosteroids associated with immunosuppressant’s. Final Considerations: AIH presents the need for complementary diagnosis and drug introduction to control liver damage in order to avoid systemic repercussions and infant morbidity and mortality.