Inflammation of the liver resulting from the immune system attacking liver cells. There are two types: Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis is the most common form, which is associated with other autoimmune diseases and can occur at any age. Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis is less common and affects younger children between the age of 2 and 14.
Fatigue, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, enlarged liver, spider angiomas (abnormal blood vessels on the skin), skin rashes, joint pains, light-colored stools, and loss of menstrual periods.
Autoimmune hepatitis is more common in females than males, and the type 2 form of the disease occurs predominantly in younger females. A history of other autoimmune diseases also increases the risk.
Aashika’s Story: Finding Hope and Gratitude in the Journey to Healing
Aashika recounts the ups and downs of being suddenly diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis – including the physical, mental, and emotional tolls – and finding hope, gratitude, and a new perspective on health.
Autoimmune Hepatitis. (n.d.). NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Retrieved July 12, 2021, from https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/autoimmune-hepatitis/
Guo, L., Zhou, L., Zhang, N., Deng, B., & Wang, B. (2017). Extrahepatic Autoimmune Diseases in Patients with Autoimmune Liver Diseases: A Phenomenon Neglected by Gastroenterologists. Gastroenterology Research and Practice, 2017, 2376231. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/2376231
Guy, J., & Peters, M. G. (2013). Liver Disease in Women: The Influence of Gender on Epidemiology, Natural History, and Patient Outcomes. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 9(10), 633–639. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992057/
Lammert, C. (2019). Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Autoimmune Hepatitis. Clinical Liver Disease, 14(1), 29–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/cld.798
