Acute liver failure in children: Causes, symptoms

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Resident Doctor Dang Thi Ngoan - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Many parents are subjective when thinking that children are rarely subjects to acute liver failure. However, acute liver failure in children has a mortality rate of up to 70%. Therefore, in order to be able to completely treat acute liver failure, it is necessary to pay attention to the causes and symptoms of the disease.

1.1 Due to overuse of drugs and poisoning When using many drugs or poisoning is one of the many causes of acute liver failure in children. Children's resistance is very weak, so children often have fevers, colds, the use of antipyretics, colds and pain relievers at the wrong dose is the cause of acute liver failure.
A common drug that leads to acute liver failure is acetaminophen (Tylenol), which has the potential to affect the way the liver works. When used in excess, not exactly prescribed by the doctor will lead to acute liver failure, especially in young children.
Poisoning by toxic chemicals or foods will lead to acute liver failure such as: mercury, heavy metals, poisonous mushrooms.
1.2 Causes of infection

Infection is a relatively common cause of acute liver failure in young children
Infection is a relatively common cause of acute liver failure in young children. Infections from viruses, bacteria, parasites.
For infants up to 6 months of age, infection is caused by Herpes simplex, echovirus, adenovirus, hepatitis B, parvovirus...
For children 2 years of age and older, infection occurs during hepatitis A , B and D, hepatitis NANB, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes, leptospirosis...
1.3 Immune causes Liver failure due to autoimmune hepatitis, liver failure in systemic diseases, immune disorders , immunodeficiency, hemophagocytic syndrome.
1.4 Cardiovascular conditions Pericardial oxygenation, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, asphyxia, myocarditis, liver failure due to shock and multiple organ failure
1.5 Metabolic disorders Wilson's disease, alpha deficiency 1 antitrypsin, tyrosinemia, galactosemia, amino acid metabolism disorder, fatty acid metabolism disorder, cellular respiratory chain disorder...
1.6 Rare diseases Neonatal iron metabolism disorder, histiocytosis..
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Symptoms of acute liver failure depend on the cause. But there will be symptoms such as: stomach pain, often feeling tired, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes. The condition lasts for a few days or lasts up to 10 weeks.
With infants and younger than 28 days old, the symptoms of the disease are not clear. Symptoms include anger, trouble sleeping, forgetting things, confusion or frequent feeling of drowsiness, hyper agitation or convulsions.

Diagnosis of acute liver failure is based on results from many tests, including:
Signs of mental disorder (hepatic encephalopathy) Elevated levels of liver enzymes Jaundice Coagulation disorders In case of positive diagnosis, Parents should send the child to the hospital as soon as possible so that the doctor can promptly find out the condition and provide timely treatment.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : consists of leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment. Doctor Dang Thi Ngoan used to be a lecturer in the Department of Pediatrics - Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Having been granted certificates in Pediatrics at home and abroad such as: Westmead Hospital, Australia; Hai Phong Medical University. Currently, Doctor Ngoan is a pediatrician - neonatologist at the Department of Neonatology at Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.