The liver quietly does hundreds of jobs for a growing child — digesting fat, storing energy, making proteins and clearing toxins. When it is unwell, the first clues are often easy to miss: tiredness, poor appetite, a swollen tummy or a yellow tinge to the eyes. Dr. Jenny's MD training at BSMMU was in paediatric hepatology, gastroenterology and nutrition, so liver problems in children are at the centre of her practice.
Signs parents notice
- Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice) beyond the newborn period
- Dark, tea-coloured urine or pale stools
- A swollen or tight tummy, or an enlarged liver or spleen found on examination
- Itching, easy bruising or nose bleeds
- Tiredness, poor appetite or poor weight gain
- Abnormal liver function tests found during another illness
Common causes
- Viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, E and B)
- Fatty liver linked to excess weight
- Inherited and metabolic liver conditions
- Bile duct problems such as choledochal cyst or Caroli's disease
- Blood-vessel problems of the liver such as Budd-Chiari syndrome
- Medicine- or toxin-related liver injury
- Acute liver failure (needs urgent hospital care)
How Dr. Jenny evaluates & treats
- A detailed history, growth check and careful examination of the abdomen
- Targeted blood tests (liver function, clotting, viral markers) — only what is needed
- Ultrasound and, when required, referral for further imaging or procedures
- A clear explanation of the diagnosis and a written plan for diet, medicines and follow-up
- Close coordination with paediatric hepatology and surgical teams when specialised care is needed
When to see a doctor
- Jaundice in a child older than two weeks
- Jaundice with drowsiness, confusion, bleeding or vomiting — go to an emergency department
- Pale or white stools at any age
- A swollen tummy that is getting bigger
Serial: 01786-126908 · In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Watch: Dr. Jenny explains
Jaundice & liver
শিশুর জন্ডিসের লক্ষণ ও চিকিৎসা | নবজাতকের জন্ডিস কি স্বাভাবিক?
Jaundice in babies — when is it normal?
Watch on YouTubeJaundice & liver
শিশুর পায়খানা সাদা বা ফ্যাকাশে? এই সতর্ক সংকেতটি অবহেলা করবেন না!
Pale or white stool — a warning sign not to ignore
Watch on YouTubeFrequently asked questions
Is hepatitis A in children serious?
Most children with hepatitis A recover fully with rest, fluids and good nutrition. A small number become very unwell, so a child with jaundice should always be checked by a doctor, and urgently if there is drowsiness, bleeding or repeated vomiting.
My child's liver enzymes are high on a report. What next?
Raised enzymes are a clue, not a diagnosis. They can follow a simple viral illness or point to a liver condition. The pattern, the child's history and repeat testing decide what, if anything, needs to be done.
This page gives general information for parents and is being reviewed by Dr. Ferdous Ara Jenny. It does not replace a consultation — every child is different.