Acute liver failure in children

Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2011 Jun;35(6-7):430-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clinre.2011.03.005. Epub 2011 Apr 30.

Abstract

The management of children with acute liver failure mandates a multidisciplinary approach and intense monitoring. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in developing specific and supportive medical measures, but clinical studies have mainly concerned adult patients. There are no specific medical therapies, except for a few metabolic diseases presenting with acute liver failure. Liver transplantation still remains the only definitive therapy in most instances. Recent clinical studies suggest that hepatocyte transplantation may be useful for bridging patients to liver transplantation, for providing metabolic support during liver failure and for replacing liver transplantation in certain metabolic liver diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cholestasis / complications
  • Contraindications
  • Enteral Nutrition
  • Extracorporeal Circulation
  • Galactosemias / complications
  • Heart Failure / prevention & control
  • Hemochromatosis / complications
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / etiology
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / complications
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / complications
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology
  • Intracranial Hypertension / prevention & control
  • Jaundice / etiology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / diagnosis
  • Liver Failure, Acute / etiology*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / therapy*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Liver, Artificial
  • Metabolism, Inborn Errors / complications
  • Renal Insufficiency / prevention & control
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / prevention & control
  • Steroid Metabolism, Inborn Errors
  • Tyrosinemias / complications

Supplementary concepts

  • Bile acid synthesis defect, congenital, 1