THE PREVENTION OF INDIAN CHILDHOOD CIRRHOSIS

Previous studies have led to the hypothesis that the gross hepatic copper storage characteristic of Indian childhood cirrhosis (ICC) is due to the early introduction of animal milk feeds which have been contaminated with copper from brass household utensils. Amongst the families of 100 cases of ICC, the incidence of ICC in children born after dietary advice had been given (1/86) was significantly lower than in older siblings (12/125). This study attempted to document the incidence of ICC and the usage of brass before and after an intervention programme in Pune District advising against this pattern of infant feeding. The study encountered numerous difficulties in data gathering, but documented a fall in ICC prevalence resulting in its virtual disappearance in Pune District. This contrasted with an unchanged incidence in Chandigarh. Although a fall in brass usage was seen in Pune District, this was actually a spontaneous sociological change rather than a result of health education.