Hepatic coma with renal failure, treated by repeated exchange transfusion

Abstract

A 6-year-old child, with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, developed acute hepatic necrosis complicated by renal failure after multiple exposures to halothane anaesthesia. The coma was successfully treated by 3 exchange transfusions using fresh citrated blood. Subsequent complications included septicaemia, and a convulsion and left hemiparesis; 17 weeks later renal and hepatic function was normal, and cerebral recovery, as judged clinically, was complete.