What is Acute Liver Failure?Acute liver failure (ALF) occurs when many cells in the liver die or become very damaged in a short amount of time. This causes the liver to fail to work as it should. Show
The liver removes toxins from the body, helps maintain blood glucose levels, is a part of the immune system and regulates blood clotting. When the liver fails it is an emergency and needs to be treated immediately. Causes of Acute Liver FailureAcute liver failure has many causes. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®) is one common medicine that can affect how the liver works. This can happen if a child is given the wrong dose of medicine or if too much is taken in a short amount of time. Other causes of acute liver failure are:
Often the cause of acute liver failure in children cannot be found. One study showed that this was the case for about 44 percent of all children with acute liver failure. This number is about 63 percent in children with acute liver failure under 2 years of age. Causes of Acute Liver FailureIn Infants
In Toddlers and Older Children
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Liver FailureSymptoms of acute liver failure can be like those of a virus. This can include upset stomach, feeling tired all the time, or throwing up. This can quickly progress to jaundice (yellowing of the skin), encephalopathy and coagulopathy (problem with blood clotting). In encephalopathy the brain does not work the way it should. This happens when the liver is not able to break down or get rid of toxic products. A liver that is working like it should is able to break down toxins and carry them out of the liver. Infants up to 28 days old may not have many signs of encephalopathy that are easy to notice. Infants older than 28 days may be irritable, have crying spells and can't be made to feel better, or they might want to sleep more during the day than at night. Older children may seem angry, have a hard time falling asleep, forget things, be confused, or feel drowsy. Diagnosis of Acute Liver FailureLab studies and a physical exam can tell if there are signs of a liver problem. These include:
If there seems to be a liver problem, the child should be seen by an expert at a liver care / transplant center. The doctor there will figure out if the child’s cause of liver failure can be treated. Treatment for Acute Liver FailureTreatment for acute liver failure depends on what caused the disease. Some causes can be treated by medicine or a liver transplant.
Long-Term OutlookAcute liver failure in children is rare. The chance the child will recover depends mainly on the cause and their age. The stage of the disease and the amount of brain damage also affect recovery. If the liver heals itself, most often there is a full recovery. The survival rate for children with acute liver failure who have a liver transplant is as high as 90 percent. Most can expect a 70 percent five-year survival. Last Updated 09/2021 What are the medical management of liver disease?Some liver problems can be treated with lifestyle modifications, such as stopping alcohol use or losing weight, typically as part of a medical program that includes careful monitoring of liver function. Other liver problems may be treated with medications or may require surgery.
How is acute liver failure managed?Acute liver failure treatments may include: Medications to reverse poisoning. Acute liver failure caused by acetaminophen overdose is treated with a medication called acetylcysteine. This medication may also help treat other causes of acute liver failure.
Which of the following describes the best course of action for the management of acute liver failure?Liver transplantation is the definitive treatment for acute liver failure. In selected patients for whom no allograft is immediately available, consider support with a bioartificial liver. This is a short-term measure that only leads to survival if the liver spontaneously recovers or is replaced.
What is ALF in liver?Acute liver failure (ALF) (also called fulminant hepatic failure) is a rare condition characterized by the abrupt onset of severe liver injury, manifest as a profound liver dysfunction as well as a confusional state called hepatic encephalopathy in individuals with no prior history of liver disease.
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