AIM:

To study the effect of oral garlic on arterial oxygen pressure in children with hepatopulmonary syndrome.

METHODS:

Garlic powder in a capsule form was given to 15 children with hepatopulmonary syndrome (confirmed by contrast echocardiography) at the dosage of 1 g/1.73 m(2) per day. Patients were evaluated clinically and by arterial blood gas every four weeks.

RESULTS:

The garlic capsule was administered to 15 patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome. There were 10 boys and 5 girls with a mean age of 9.4+/-3.9 years. The underlying problems were biliary tract atresia (4 patients), autoimmune hepatitis (4 patients), cryptogenic cirrhosis (4 patients) and presinusoidal portal hypertension (3 patients). Eight patients(53.3%) showed an increase of 10 mmHg in their mean arterial oxygen pressure. The baseline PaO(2) was 65.6+/-12.1 mmHg in the responder group and 47.1+/-11.2 mmHg in non-responder group. At the end of treatment the mean PaO(2) in responders and non-responders was 92.2+/-7.75 mmHg and 47.5+/-11.87 mmHg, respectively (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Garlic may increase oxygenation and improve dyspnea in children with hepatopulmonary syndrome.