Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is not caused by a virus or bacteria and is not a contagious condition. No one knows what triggers the immune system to react against the liver. The condition is often associated with other autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune hepatitis is classified into two types. Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis is the most common and typically starts in adolescence or young adulthood. Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis is less common and affects children aged 2 to 14.

Children with autoimmune hepatitis may not feel or show any symptoms.

Symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis include:

• Abdominal pain
• Acute liver disease
• Dark urine
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Fatigue
• General discomfort, uneasiness or ill feeling
• Generalized itching
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Liver failure
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Swollen abdomen

Diagnosis of Autoimmune Hepatitis

If your child experiences any of the symptoms of hepatitis, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Riley at IU Health can perform the following exams and tests to make a diagnosis:

• Physical exam. A pediatric specialist may find an enlarged liver or spleen during an examination of your child’s body.
• Blood tests. Many blood tests are used to check for the different forms of hepatitis. Types of blood tests include:
  • Liver enzyme. A liver enzyme blood test shows elevated levels of alanine transaminase (AST) and aspartate transaminase (ALT) liver enzymes in patients with a liver condition.
  • Prothrombin time. A prothrombin time blood test measures the time it takes for plasma (liquid portion of blood) to clot and shows if the liver is working well.
  • Autoantibody. An autoantibody blood test shows if certain autoantibodies are present which suggest autoimmune hepatitis.

Other tests used to make a hepatitis diagnosis include:

• Liver biopsy
• Ultrasound