Wilson's liver disease in children and adolescents
Feist, D.; Wesch, H.
Leber Magen Darm 9(5): 235-239
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8622 PMID: 522594 Document Number: 141812
Hepatic symptoms are usually the first in Wilson's disease of children and adolescents, while neurologic symptoms and the corneal ring are still missing. Liver lesions due to copper accumulation may develop throughout years without clinical symptoms or biochemical abnormalities. Hemolytic jaundice or gastrointestinal bleeding are the presenting symptoms in some cases. In spite of being a rare syndrom Wilson's disease ought to be considered after hepatitis B or autoimmune liver disease have been excluded as causes of juvenile cirrhosis of the liver. If life-long treatment with D-penicillamin is started in an early stage of Wilson's disease, prognosis is rather good.