Análise do Perfil Lipídico de Pacientes Pediátricos com Hepatite Autoimune

Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the liver leading to the destruction of hepatocytes. Its frequency has been increasing every year. It is characterized by increased immunoglobulin, aminotransferases, autoantibodies, interface hepatitis and splenomegaly. The aim of this study was to analyze the lipid profile of pediatric patients with AIH in order to evaluate the influence of AIH in these patients’ lipid metabolism. Thirty-eight volunteers were included in the study, 8 with AIH (case group) and 30 without AIH diagnosis (control group). Fasting blood samples were collected to perform the biochemical analyses. No significant differences were found between the studied groups in the lipid profile evaluation. The absence of alterations in the lipid profile of the present study patients suggests that the hepatic injury is still not sufficient to cause alterations in the lipid metabolism of this group of patients. Moreover, these results may be due to a good management of the disease associated to an efficient response to the treatment. More studies are necessary in order to confirm these findings.