The Intensity and Pattern of Syndecan-1 (CD138) Expression in Normal and Diseased Livers.

Introduction Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) belong to the syndecan family, and syndecan-1 (CD138) is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Syndecan-1 has a potential role in cell-matrix and cell-cell communications as they are present in cell epithelium. Its expression is different in an extensive range of benign, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases.

Managing Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Children.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare pediatric tumor. It differs from its adult counterpart in many ways like etiology, biological behavior, and association with cirrhosis. Treating HCC requires a multidisciplinary team involving pediatric gastroenterology, oncology, hepatobiliary surgery, and interventional radiology.

Spectrum of chronic gastrointestinal diseases with final outcome in children at a tertiary care centre: A single-centre study.

Chronic gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in children present with a wide range of symptoms. Limited resources in Paediatric Gastroenterology in developing countries like Pakistan cause considerable difficulties in managing children with chronic GI diseases in a timely fashion. This retrospective descriptive study aimed to determine the spectrum and outcomes of chronic GI diseases in children.

Outcome of Treatment in Children With Chronic Viral Hepatitis C: A Single Centre Study.

Objective To review the efficacy of the combination of pegylated interferon-α 2b and ribavirin, and sofosbuvir and ribavirin in achieving sustained viral response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C genotypes 1 and 3 in children. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was performed for children under 15 years of age treated for chronic hepatitis C at Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre, Lahore, between 2018 and 2019. Demographic data and clinical information were collected.

Clinical spectrum of chronic liver disease with final outcome in children at a tertiary centre: A single - centre study.

Background And Objectives: Chronic liver disease (CLD) in children present a broad spectrum of symptoms. Limited resources in Paediatric Hepatology in developing countries like Pakistan present considerable challenges in investigating and treating children with chronic liver disease in a timely fashion. This study aimed to determine the spectrum and outcomes of CLD other than chronic hep B & C virus (HBV& HCV) liver disease in children.

Is It Tuberculosis Or Crohn's Disease?

Tuberculosis is very prevalent in countries like Pakistan. It can be a diagnostic challenge when it has extra pulmonary organ involvement. Variation in clinical signs and symptoms, lack of access to a specialist and limited financial resources often result in delayed diagnosis.

Diagnosing Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Children.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare chronic cholestatic liver disease in children caused by chronic inflammatory process affecting either intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts. Although it is infrequent, incidence is increasing worldwide, may be due to more awareness, understanding and expertise in managing children with chronic liver disease (CLD). In the developing world like Pakistan where resources and expertise are limited, very few tertiary centers are equipped to manage CLD in children.

Frequency and Associated Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections in Children at a Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Clinic in Lahore, Pakistan.

Objective This study evaluated the frequency of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the associated horizontal risk factors in children being screened for viral hepatitis in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods Children aged 15 years or younger who were brought to a specialized outpatient viral hepatitis clinic affiliated with a tertiary hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, for viral hepatitis screening from March 2017 to March 2018 were enrolled. Children were screened for HBV and HCV infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; if results were positive, HBV and HCV concentrations were quantitatively assayed by polymerase chain reaction.

Could It Be Schistosomiasis?

Schistosomiasis may cause diverse symptoms and it is usually not considered as a cause of disease especially in patients with normal immune system. We are reporting an eleven-year-old child who was initially diagnosed as a case of lymphoma but later on proved to be a case of acute schistosomiasis.