Abstract

Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an important pulmonary vascular complication of liver disease. Its diagnosis is based on the presence of hypoxaemia and the demonstration of intrapulmonary shunting by contrast-enhanced echocardiography or perfusion lung scanning. Awareness of this condition is critical to improve the outcomes of patients with chronic liver disease and/or portal hypertension because hepatopulmonary syndrome receives additional priority on the waiting list for transplantation. A non-invasive measurement of the blood oxygen saturation with pulse oximetry is recommended as a screening tool for this syndrome. The aim of this report was to present clinical and laboratory findings and follow-up of seven paediatric patients who were diagnosed with HPS at our centre.