Poster Session I - A183 DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC UTILITY OF LIVER BIOPSY IN CHILDREN: A SINGLE-CENTER RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract Background Despite advances in non-invasive diagnostics, liver biopsy (LB) remains central to pediatric Hepatology. Its current diagnostic yield and therapeutic impact warrant re-evaluation in contemporary practice. Aims To evaluate the diagnostic yield, concordance with pre-biopsy clinical impressions, and influence on the management of liver biopsies in children. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all patients aged 0–18 years who underwent LB at King Abdullah University Hospital between January 2017 and March 2024. Demographic, clinical, procedural, histopathologic, and outcome data were extracted. Biopsies were categorized by intent (diagnostic, intraoperative, or other) and outcome (confirmed diagnosis, new/alternate diagnosis, normal histology, or inconclusive). A management change was defined as the initiation, cessation, or major alteration of therapy prompted by biopsy results. Descriptive statistics summarized the data. Results Eighty-three patients were included (median age 1.4 years; mean 5.8 years), most aged