hepatic wilson's disease in a young adult male- a case study

Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism that may present with hepatic, neurological, or psychiatric symptoms. hepatic encephalopathy (he) is an uncommon presenting feature in young adults with wilson's disease but can be life-threatening. a 22-year-old male presented with altered mental status, jaundice, hand tremors, and abdominal distention. he was diagnosed with grade ii–iii hepatic encephalopathy secondary to wilson's disease based on clinical, biochemical, ophthalmologic, and radiological findings. initial treatment with lactulose, rifaximin, and supportive care led to improvement in encephalopathy. wilson's disease-specific treatment with d-penicillamine and zinc acetate was initiated following neurological stabilization. wilson's disease should be considered in all young patients presenting with unexplained liver dysfunction and neuropsychiatric symptoms. early diagnosis and prompt initiation of copper-chelating agents can prevent progression and improve outcomes.