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Acute liver failure in children: observations in Vitória, Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Sandra F Moreira-Silva1, Diana O Frauches, Alba L Almeida

  • 1Hospital Infantil Nossa Senhora da Glória, Vitória ES, Brasil.

Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical
|March 8, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is the primary cause of acute liver failure in children in Brazil, leading to severe and fatal outcomes. Further investigation is needed for cases without identified viral markers.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Acute liver failure (ALF) in children presents a significant clinical challenge.
  • Identifying the etiology of ALF is crucial for prognosis and management.
  • Hepatitis viruses are common causes of ALF globally.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the etiological agents of acute liver failure in children.
  • To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric ALF cases.
  • To investigate the role of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) in pediatric ALF in Brazil.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 46 pediatric ALF cases.
  • Serological testing for IgM anti-HAV, IgM anti-HBc, HBsAg, and anti-HCV.
  • Biochemical tests and assessment for exogenous intoxication.
  • Evaluation of mortality rates and demographic data.

Main Results:

  • Hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM was detected in 82.6% of cases.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers were found in a smaller proportion of cases.
  • Mortality rate was 50%, with no significant differences in gender or age.
  • Six cases were negative for common viral markers, with four lacking suspected exogenous intoxication.

Conclusions:

  • HAV infection is the predominant cause of acute liver failure in Brazilian children.
  • HAV can lead to severe and fatal outcomes despite being generally self-limiting.
  • Further research is warranted for unexplained pediatric ALF cases, including non-A-E hepatitis.

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