Liver dysfunction in multitransfused hemophiliacs

Abstract

The present study attempted to evaluate the potential adverse effect on the liver of repeated exposure to blood products in hemophiliacs. 58 patients with hemophilia A (47) and B (11) who had been treated with blood products for more than 5 years and examined serial liver function tests were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 29 years old. Persistent HBs-antigenemia was not found in the patients. Anti HBs was noted in 91% of the patients. 24% of the patients have experienced acute clinical hepatitis. Persistently abnormal transaminase values were noted in 74% of the patients. Persistently normal transaminase values were present in only 9%. Most of the hemophiliacs with chronic liver dysfunction were asymptomatic concerning hepatitis, but one of them died of the submassive hepatic necrosis. Hemophiliacs with liver dysfunction showed a significantly decreased OKT4/OKT8 ratio of peripheral T lymphocytes, as compared with healthy controls and the patients with chronic hepatitis (type B and NANB).