Portal Hypertension
Description Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Referral ICD-10 code: K76.6 DESCRIPTION Increased portal venous pressure above vena cava pressure. Most commonly secondary to cirrhosis, but causes without cirrhosis may be divided into prehepatic portal vein obstruction, intra-hepatic (pre-or post-sinusoidal) and post-hepatic causes. DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA Clinical Splenomegaly w
Description
Diagnostic criteria
General and supportive measures
Referral
ICD-10 code: K76.6
DESCRIPTION
Increased portal venous pressure above vena cava pressure. Most commonly secondary to cirrhosis, but causes without cirrhosis may be divided into prehepatic portal vein obstruction, intra-hepatic (pre-or post-sinusoidal) and post-hepatic causes.
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
Clinical
- Splenomegaly with ascites, variceal haemorrhage or hypersplenism.
Investigations
- FBC may show hypersplenism.
- Doppler assisted ultrasound and angiography.
- Investigations as listed under cirrhosis.
GENERAL AND SUPPORTIVE MEASURES
- Determine and manage underlying cause.
REFERRAL
- All children with portal hypertension should be referred.
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa Paediatric Hospital _2023, 5th edition_Updated July 2024
Chapter 2: Alimentary Tract, 2.3 Hepatic Disease, 2.3.3 Portal Hypertension