Abstract

Giant cell hepatitis (GCH) with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare disease occurring early in childhood. The exact cause of this illness is unknown and is assumed to be an autoimmune disorder. This disease often has a fatal outcome due to poor response to immunosuppression. In this paper, we report an 11-month-old male infant who presented initially with Coomb’s positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia followed by histology-proven GCH and rapid progression to fulminant hepatic failure and death within two months from the onset of the disease despite aggressive immunosuppression. In addition, we review the available literature about the clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapeutic options of this rare disease. 

Keywords: giant cell hepatitis; autoimmune hemolytic anemia