Pediatric Acute Liver Failure

What are the signs and symptoms of acute liver failure?

Children with acute liver failure may have flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting and fever. They may also show signs and symptoms resulting from liver failure, such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
• Enlarged liver or spleen
• Easily bleeding or bruising
• Irritability or an altered mental state

What tests are used to diagnose acute liver failure?

Your child’s doctor will diagnose acute liver failure by reviewing their medical history, conducting a physical exam, and using blood tests and a liver biopsy.

A board-certified pediatric hepatologist and pediatric anesthesiologist from our gastrointestinal procedure center perform the liver biopsy. Your child is under general anesthesia during the biopsy, so they don’t experience pain or discomfort.

Your child’s surgeon passes a small needle through the skin and between the ribs to reach the liver and remove a small piece of liver tissue. Then a board-certified pediatric pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to check for signs of liver failure.

How is acute liver failure treated?

Intensive care unit expertise is critical for treating liver failure. When we can identify the cause of liver failure, specific treatments may be available.

However, most treatment is supportive and includes managing low blood sugars, bleeding, brain swelling and fluid overload. Liver transplantation may be necessary for children whose liver function continues to get worse.

Why choose us for treatment of acute liver failure?

The Children’s Colorado Pediatric Liver Center is one of the largest in the country. Our team uses a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to diagnose and treat liver failure, so your child has the best outcome possible. Your child’s care team includes experienced liver specialists, intensive care specialists, surgeons, pathologists and radiologists.

Some children with acute liver failure require a rapid liver transplant. Our program provides the full spectrum of care, allowing us to quickly evaluate and provide options for a liver transplant when needed.

If your child needs liver transplantation, we’ll refer your family to the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program. Our team provides thorough evaluations and helps you understand what transplant options are available.

Helpful resources

The American Liver Foundation (ALF) promotes education, advocacy, support services and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease, including acute liver failure.