Indian Childhood Cirrhosis - A Forgotten Entity.

Historical background and past knowledge: The infantile and childhood variety of Cirrhosis was first described by Sen from Bengal in 1887 [3]. Earlier, it was known by the name ‘infantile cirrhosis’ or ‘infantile biliary cirrhosis’, based on a few clinicopathological accounts of the disease. In 1950s, the disease gained public health importance on account of its high prevalence, unique clinical features and high mortality. The pioneer treatise on the clinicopathological spectrum of the disease was compiled and published by a group of expert panellists constituted under the ICMR in mid-fifties [2]. In 1960, Achar and colleagues from Chennai proposed a change in name to ‘Indian Childhood Cirrhosis’ denoting its affliction in young children rather than infants [4]. The etiology of ICC remained unknown, although the role of a toxic injury to liver was hypothesized.