Steroid Free Treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Selected Children

J Pediatr. 2019 Apr:207:244-247. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.12.070. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Abstract

Current guidelines recommend steroids for induction of remission in all children diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis regardless of the clinical presentation. In this report, we describe our experience in treating selected asymptomatic children with autoimmune hepatitis using a steroid-free regimen; this treatment strategy was safe and effective in inducing remission.

Keywords: AIH; azathioprine; liver disease; pediatric; prednisone.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood*
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biopsy
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glucocorticoids / pharmacology
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / blood
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / analogs & derivatives
  • Prednisolone / pharmacology
  • Remission Induction / methods*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Biomarkers
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • prednylidene
  • Azathioprine