ABSTRACT
To study the effect of oral garlic on arterial oxygen pressure in children with hepatopulmonary syndrome. 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. 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 PaO2 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]. Garlic may increase oxygenation and improve dyspnea in children with hepatopulmonary syndrome