Three major criteria for the diagnosis of severe hepatitis
Dec 03, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Gao Jun
Introduction
There is no such thing as the "three major criteria for diagnosing severe hepatitis." The diagnostic criteria for severe hepatitis include typical clinical symptoms, abnormal liver function indicators, coagulation dysfunction, imaging features, and manifestations of complications. A comprehensive assessment based on multiple indicators is required to accurately evaluate the extent of liver damage. If related symptoms are suspected, immediate medical consultation at the hepatology department of a正规 hospital is essential.
There is no such thing as the "three major criteria for diagnosing severe hepatitis." The diagnostic criteria for severe hepatitis include typical clinical symptoms, abnormal liver function indicators, coagulation dysfunction, imaging features, and manifestations of complications. A comprehensive assessment combining multiple indicators is required to accurately evaluate the extent of liver damage. If related symptoms are suspected, immediate medical consultation at the hepatology department of a正规 hospital is essential.
1. Typical clinical symptoms: Extreme fatigue is the core manifestation, accompanied by severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as frequent nausea, abdominal distension, and aversion to oily food. Jaundice progressively worsens, with obvious and continuously increasing yellowing of the skin and sclera, showing no signs of relief.
2. Abnormal liver function indicators: Elevated serum total bilirubin, typically exceeding 171 μmol/L; transaminases may initially rise but later decline due to extensive hepatocyte necrosis; significantly reduced serum albumin levels indicate impaired liver synthetic function.
3. Coagulation dysfunction: Prolonged prothrombin time, international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 1.5, and prothrombin activity below 40%, which are important laboratory indicators reflecting severe liver damage.
4. Imaging features: Ultrasound or CT scans show明显 reduction in liver volume, uneven liver parenchymal echogenicity, and some patients may have ascites, pleural effusion, or other manifestations of peritoneal or thoracic cavity fluid accumulation.
5. Manifestations of complications: Prone to develop serious conditions such as hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The occurrence of these complications is a key basis for assessing the severity of the disease.
Maintain a sterile and quiet environment for the patient, provide a light, low-fat, easily digestible diet, strictly control protein and sodium intake, offer small frequent meals rich in vitamins, closely monitor vital sign changes, and provide psychological support to help reduce physical and mental stress.
