Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis

Overview

• The Igenomix Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis Gene Panel can be used to make a directed and accurate differential diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis, ultimately leading to a better management of the comorbidities associated with it and a better prognosis of the disease. 

• Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an inherited or genetic condition that affects the liver and its function. Though CHF can present individually it is often associated with other disorders that can affect kidney function (hepatorenal fibrocystic disease).

• CHF is caused by malformations and abnormalities in the development of bile ducts starting with the ductal plate. The bile ducts are responsible for ensuring normal blood flow in the vessels of the hepatic portal system as well as the flow of bile. Thus, malformations in this system can disrupts this flow and leads to CHF. This condition is inherited mostly in an autosomal recessive pattern although autosomal dominant and X-linked forms are also found.  

Indication

The Igenomix Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis Gene Panel is indicated for those patients with a clinical suspicion or diagnosis on hepatic fibrosis with other manifestations including: 

• Enlarged liver and spleen (splenomegaly, hepatomegaly)  
• Polycystic kidney disease 
• Increased blood pressure (hypertension)  
• Enlarged kidneys (nephromegaly)  
• Inflammation in the bile ducts  

Clinical Utility

The clinical utility of this panel is: 

• The genetic and molecular confirmation for an accurate clinical diagnosis of a symptomatic patient.  
• Early initiation of treatment with a multidisciplinary team for early pharmacologic treatment of portal hypertension, surgical care, early referral to specialties like invasive radiology, paediatric nephrology, or vascular surgeon and dietary modifications.  
• Risk assessment of asymptomatic family members according to the mode of inheritance 

Genes & Diseases