Role of Liv.52 and Steroids in the Management of Viral Hepatitis in Children

Table VIII: Illustrates the frequency of signs of viral hepatitis in the present series
Signs	No. of cases	%
Icterus	60	100.0
Hepatomegaly	59	98.0
Tender liver	31	51.0
Splenomegaly	21	35.0
Lymph node enlargement	21	35.0
Oedema Legs	4	6.0
Ascites	1	1.6
Bradycardia	1	1.6

Hepatomegaly was observed in 98% of the present series. Only in a single case it was not palpable though histopathological examination of the liver biopsy specimen revealed viral hepatitis.

Table IX: Illustrates the size of the liver in the present series
Palpable in midclavicular line in cm	No. of cases	%
1 cm	5	8.3
2–4 cm	41	68.3
5–6 cm	9	15.0
Not certain	4	6.7
No liver enlargement	1	1.7

The serum bilirubin level could be well correlated clinically with the depth of jaundice, there was no correlation between it and the histologic lesion.

It has been observed that 23% of the present series had normal SGOT and SGPT levels in spite of elevated serum bilirubin levels. On the other hand 12% of cases showing hepatic damage on histopathological examination had normal SGOT and SGPT values.

Though the initial levels of alkaline phosphatase were normal all the cases registered a fall in the levels 15 days after treatment.


Thymol turbidity values ranged from 3.8 to 10 units in the present series. After 15 days of treatment all cases showed normal values.

Table X: Shows the serum bilirubin levels in the present series on admission
Serum bilirubin mg%		Group ‘A’		Group ‘B’		Group ‘C’		Group ‘D’
Liv.52 %			Prednisone %		Liv.52 + Pred. %		Supportive %
0–5		98.7		60		60		84.6
5–10		10.3		30		40		15.4
10–15		–		10		–		–

Table XI: Shows the serum bilirubin levels 15 days after treatment with Liv.52, prednisone, both and routine supportive therapy (placebo)
Serum bilirubin mg%		Group ‘A’		Group ‘B’		Group ‘C’		Group ‘D’
Liv.52			Prednisone		Liv.52 + Prednisone		Supportive therapy
0–1		13.8		–		–		23.1
1–2		82.8		90		60		61.5
2–3		3.4		10		20		–
3–5		–		–		–		15.4
More than 5		–		–		20		–

Table XII: Shows improvement in biochemical tests 15 days after treatment
Biochemical test			Group ‘A’		Group ‘B’		Group ‘C’	Group ‘D’
Liv.52 %		Prednisone %		Liv.52 + Pred. %		Supportive therapy %
1. Bilirubin fall to less than 2 mg			96.6		90.0		66.6	84.6
2. Fall of SGOT to 40 units and below			89.4		77.7		75.0	81.8
3. Fall of SGPT to 40 units and below			85.7		55.5		–	72.7