Performance of the AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) as a Noninvasive Marker of Fibrosis in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis

摘要

We investigated the performance of AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) as a non-invasive marker of fibrosis and cirrhosis in children with chronic viral hepatitis. All patients 0–20 years old with chronic hepatitis B or C seen at a tertiary medical center from 1992–2008 were identified. 36 patients were evaluated with 48 biopsy results. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.71 for fibrosis and 0.52 for cirrhosis. When examining subgroups, the APRI performed better in older patients and in those with vertically transmitted HCV. Further research into APRI and other non-invasive markers of fibrosis in children with chronic viral hepatitis is warranted.