Pediatric Acute Liver Failure: Current Perspectives

Abstract

It is well known that acute liver failure (ALF) in children is rare but potentially a life-threatening disorder. Its true incidence in the pediatric population is undetermined but is responsible for 10-15% of all pediatric liver transplantations. Unlike adults, a specific cause of pediatric ALF is not identified in almost half of the cases, and the etiology is classified as indeterminate in 18-47% of all patients. The etiology is important because the survival rate and need for liver transplantation vary depending on the diagnosis. Spontaneous recovery is better in children with toxic etiology and worst for those with indeterminate or other causes.