A Clinical study of infective Hepatitis treated with Liv.52

Ila V. Desai, M.V. Dudhia and V.K. Gandhi Sheth K.M. School of Post-graduate Medicine and Research and Sheth V.S. General Hospital and Smt. N.H.L. Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India.

ABSTRACT

The improvement with Liv.52 in patients with infective hepatitis was statistically significant. It abated the symptoms more rapidly, reduced the duration of jaundice and restored appetite. It was beneficial in the treatment of infective hepatitis. No untoward side effects attributable to the drug were observed.

INTRODUCTION

In children, liver disorders such as infective hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver are quite common. Of these, the incidence of infective hepatitis is relatively high. Infective hepatitis is a viral disease which, though mild and self-limiting in many cases, often runs an acute, fulminating and fatal course or results in severe, chronic and irreparable hepatic damage.

There is so far no specific therapy for infective hepatitis. But Liv.52 has been reported by many workers to be effective in the treatment of infective hepatitis, by shortening the course of the disease and the duration of jaundice as well as by improving appetite and preventing complications.

The present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of Liv.52 (The Himalaya Drug Co.) an indigenous compound, in cases of infective hepatitis. Each 2.5 ml of Liv.52 syrup contains:

Exts.

Capparis spinosa	17 mg
Cichorium intybus	17 mg
Solanum nigrum	8 mg
Cassia occidentalis	4 mg
Terminalia arjuna	8 mg
Achillea millefolium	4 mg
Tamarix gallica	4 mg

(Prepared in the juices and decoctions of various hepatic stimulants).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A study of 70 cases of infective hepatitis treated with Liv.52 was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics at Sheth Vadilal Sarabhai General Hospital and Smt. N.H.L. Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad. The results obtained were compared with an earlier series of 60 cases studied in the same Department. The earlier cases had been treated with Vitamins B-complex and C and sometimes antibiotics and/or steroids.

Detailed history and physical findings were recorded as per detailed pro forma. The cases were treated as outdoor as well as indoor patients depending upon the severity of the disease.

The following investigations were done on the day of admission and then repeated after two weeks of the therapy:

1. Urine examination for bile salts and pigments.

2. Serum bilirubin estimation.

3. Serum alkaline phosphatase.

4. Thymol turbidity.

5. S.G.P.T.

6. Routine haemoglobin estimation.


Liv.52 syrup was given in the following dosage:

6 months to 5 years — 1 tsf, b.i.d.

6 years to 12 years — 1 tsf, t.i.d.

In very severe and fulminant cases which were in a state of impending hepatic coma, prednisolone and other measures were used as indicated.

On discharge, the patients were followed-up regularly in the outpatient department at weekly intervals for one month and at two-weekly intervals for the next two months.

OBSERVATIONS

Age Incidence

A higher incidence of infective hepatitis was observed in age group of 1-6 years i.e. the pre-school age group.

The ratio of Male: Female incidence was observed to be about 2 : 1.

Seasonal Incidence

A high incidence of infective hepatitis was seen during late summer and the monsoon.

Clinical Manifestation

The commonest symptoms on admission (Table 1) were fever, anorexia, jaundice and passing of dark-coloured urine. The complaints of nausea and/or vomiting, abdominal pain, enlargement of abdomen were next in the order of frequency.

Table I
	Trial group		Control group
Manifestations	Cases	%	Cases	%
Jaundice	70	100.00	60	100.00
Dark coloured urine	61	87.14	60	100.00
Fever	52	74.28	57	95.00
Anorexia	34	48.57	46	76.66
Vomiting and/or nausea	23	32.86	34	56.66
Abdominal pain	16	22.85	7	11.66
Enlargement of abdomen	7	10.00	4	6.66
Diarrhoea	5	7.14	6	10.00
Altered state of consciousness	5	7.14	7	11.66
Constipation	3	4.28	—	—
Oedema	1	1.42	5	8.33
Jaundice:
Mild (upto 5 mg%)	51	72.85	32	53.33
Moderate (5-10 mg%)	15	21.43	20	33.33
Severe (more than 10 mg%)	4	5.72	8	13.33
Enlarged liver:
Not palpable	51	72.85	32	53.33
Upto 3 cm	15	21.43	20	33.33
More than 3 cm	4	5.72	8	13.33
Enlarged spleen	1	1.42	7	11.66

Refference: http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/pdf_files/liv233.pdf