National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Congenital hepatic fibrosis


Congenital hepatic fibrosis is a rare disease of the liver that is present at birth. Symptoms include the following: a large liver, a large spleen, gastrointestinal bleeding caused by varices, increased pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood to the liver (portal hypertension), and scar tissue in the liver (fibrosis). Isolated congenital hepatic fibrosis is rare; it usually occurs as part of a syndrome that also affects the kidneys. There is no treatment to correct the fibrosis or the specific abnormalities in the blood vessels, but complications such as bleeding and infection can be treated.[1][2][3]
Last updated: 10/30/2015
Isolated congenital hepatic fibrosis is rare. [3] Congenital hepatic fibrosis is usually associated with conditions known as hepatorenal fibrocystic diseases (FCD) that can also affect the kidneys. Examples of FCDs include polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and nephronophthisis (NPHP). FCDs can be inherited as autosomal recessive , autosomal dominant , or X-linked recessive disorders.[1][2]
Last updated: 10/30/2015

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Congenital hepatic fibrosis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Patient Registry

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Congenital hepatic fibrosis. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • GeneReviews provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Congenital hepatic fibrosis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Shields, John and Gunay-Aygun, Meral. Congenital Hepaic Fibrosis. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). 2015; http://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/hepatic-fibrosis-congenital/. Accessed 10/30/2015.
  2. Gunay-Aygun, Meral, et al.. Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis Overview. GeneReviews. April, 2014; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2701/. Accessed 10/30/2015.
  3. Congenital hepatic fibrosis. Genetics Home Reference. January, 2012:http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/congenital-hepatic-fibrosis. Accessed 10/30/2015.