Acute liver failure

Abstract

Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a rare and devastating clinical condition. PALF can be rapidly progressive, and early referral to a pediatric liver transplant center will optimize outcome by providing the child access to all treatment options. The etiologies of PALF differ significantly from adults and also among children at different ages, but an etiology cannot be identified in many children. Those children with an indeterminate diagnosis are more likely to receive a liver transplant than those with an established diagnosis. This chapter highlights the multisystem involvement in PALF. An age-based diagnostic prioritization is presented to facilitate an early diagnosis which may be amenable to specific therapy. Management requires collaborative care, and recommendations are provided for multisystem support.