Due to a lack of defined diagnostic criteria, there is uncertainty about the actual frequency of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in pediatric liver disorders. As a result, researchers intended to conduct comparative research of HPS prevalence using the existing diagnostic criteria. All children with biliary atresia (BA) and other chronic liver disorders (CLDs) were investigated in a row. The prevalence of HPS was compared using two criteria: demonstration of intrapulmonary vascular dilatation and either an alveolar-arterial oxygen difference on arterial blood gas analysis of more than 15mmHg (criteria 1) or a P (A-a) O2 value greater than the age-appropriate calculated value (criteria 2). There were 42 youngsters in the BA group and 62 in the non-BA CLD group. The prevalence of HPS was 42.3 percent: 57.1 percent in the BA group and 32.2 percent in the CLD group using criteria 1, and 48.1 percent: 61.9 percent in the BA group and 38.7 percent in the CLD group using criteria 2. Criteria 2 identified 6 more individuals with HPS than criteria 1.
Pediatric liver disease patients have a significant frequency of HPS. In the pediatric population, and age-appropriate formula for HPS diagnosis may be more suitable. BA patients had a greater overall risk of developing HPS than other CLDs, regardless of the degree of liver disease and/or portal hypertension.
Reference:https://journals.lww.com/jpgn/Fulltext/2020/05000/Comparison_of_Two_Diagnostic_Criteria_for.18.aspx
