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Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)


Other names people use for this condition
  • Autoimmune chronic hepatitis
  • AIH



Autoimmune hepatitis
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Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks liver cells. This immune response causes inflammation of the liver, also called hepatitis. The disease can be quite serious and, if not treated, gets worse over time, leading to cirrhosis of the liver and/or liver failure.[1] Autoimmune hepatitis sometimes occurs in relatives of people with autoimmune diseases, suggesting a genetic cause. This disease is most common in young girls and women.[2]


References
  1. Autoimmune Hepatitis. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). April 2008 Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/autoimmunehep/. Accessed April 22, 2011.
  2. Dugdale DC, Longstreth GF. Autoimmune hepatitis. MedlinePlus. November 23, 2010 Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000245.htm. Accessed April 22, 2011.
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