Post‐infantile giant cell hepatitis

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Abstract
Six patients with postinfantile giant cell hepatitis (PIGCH) are reported. The age of the patients ranged from 12 to 74 yr. One patient had acute giant cell hepatitis and complete restitution was established by biopsy. In 5 patients, giant cell formation was seen in chronic aggressive hepatitis with cirrhosis. Cirrhosis was demonstrated 5-11 mo. after the onset of hepatitis. All of these cases later became inactive, but in only one was evidence of inactivity obtained by liver biopsy. Giant cell hepatitis occurred in 0.25% of patients with postinfantile hepatitis; however, all but one of the PIGCH-cases were seen between 1972 and 1974. Hepatitis B markers were negative in all tested cases. The possibility of a special type of infection is discussed.