Etiology of Portal Hypertension in Children: A Single Center’s Experiences

BACKGROUND All conditions that interfere with blood flow at any level within the portal system can lead to portal hypertension. For better management of this disorder, it is important to determine the underlying cause. In previous studies, extra-hepatic disorders have been reported as the main cause of portal hypertension in children. In this study, we investigate the underlying causes of portal hypertension in children. METHODS This prospective, descriptive study investigated the etiology of 45 children with portal hypertension who referred to Nemazee Hospital Pediatric Gastroenterology Ward from 2005 to 2007. The underlying causes of portal hypertension were determined by liver biopsy, abdominal sonography, abdominal computed tomography scan, and liver Doppler sonography. RESULTS In this study, 42 of 45 patients (93.3%) developed portal hypertension due to intrahepatic diseases. Extra-hepatic portal hypertension was detected in 3 (6.7%) patients with portal vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION Intrahepatic diseases were the most common etiology of portal hypertension among children who referred to our center.