A Case of Congenital Hepatoblastoma Coexisting with Pulmonary Hypertension

Hepatoblastoma (HBL) is the most frequently detected malignant tumor of the liver in childhood. HBLs detected antenatally or up to 3 months after birth are considered congenital HBLs. We report a five-day-old female infant in whom a hepatic mass was detected at 20 weeks’ gestation. At birth (36 weeks), the hepatic mass measured 12x6 cm, and she had respiratory distress. Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) was detected on echocardiographic evaluation. Despite dual medical therapy, her PHT did not improve. Histologically, the biopsy demonstrated a mixed epithelial-mesenchymal HBL with predominance of fetal morphology in the epithelial component. Chemotherapy was initiated on postnatal day 15; however, the baby died of respiratory failure on postnatal day 23.

HBL is an embryonal tumor which can develop early in the intrauterine period. Although the mechanism is not known, it may cause PHT which would affect the prognosis negatively