Hepatic enlargement with ascites in children

Cases of hepatitis of unknown aetiology are described. It is possible that they are caused by dietary deficiency, permitting easy damage of the gastric or duodenal mucous membrane, which becomes infected; the toxin absorbed from this focus damages liver cells or the portal vein, or both, resulting in phlebitis and finally cirrhosis, causing obstruction and partial failure to absorb a particular food constituent from a diet already deficient in that respect (Summary)