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Drug-induced liver injury in children: A nationwide cohort study from China
Rongtao Lai1, Xinjie Li2, Jie Zhang3
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Adolescents face a higher risk of severe drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in China. This study highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance in pediatric DILI management.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Limited data exists on drug-induced liver injury (DILI) clinical profiles in Chinese children.
- Pediatric DILI is a serious cause of liver disease with varied presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical characteristics of pediatric DILI in China.
- To identify suspected drugs and outcomes associated with pediatric DILI.
- To evaluate age-specific risks for DILI severity.
Main Methods:
- Nationwide, multicenter, retrospective study of 25,927 suspected DILI cases (2012-2014).
- Inclusion criteria: Roussel Uclaf causality assessment method score ≥6 or expert diagnosis.
- 460 cases met EASL biochemical criteria, categorized into toddlers, school-age children, and adolescents.
Main Results:
- Hepatocellular injury predominated (63%), with 34% meeting Hy's law criteria.
- Adolescents (12-18 years) constituted 65% of moderate/severe DILI cases.
- Adolescents had a significantly higher risk of severe liver injury (aOR 4.75, p=0.002).
- Top drug classes: antineoplastic agents (25.9%), antimicrobials (21.5%), traditional Chinese medicine (13.7%).
- Adolescent suspected drugs: antitubercular drugs (22%), traditional Chinese medicine (23%).
Conclusions:
- Adolescents are at a greater risk of severe and potentially fatal liver injury from DILI.
- Recognizing pediatric DILI risks is crucial for safe medical practices.
- Further prospective studies are needed to assess outpatient and inpatient DILI hepatotoxicity.
Background & Aims:
Currently, there is limited knowledge on the clinical profile of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in Chinese children. We aimed to assess the clinical characteristics, suspected drugs, and outcomes associated with pediatric DILI in China.
Methods:
This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective study, conducted between 2012 and 2014, analyzed 25,927 cases of suspected DILI at 308 medical centers using the inpatient medical register system. Utilizing the Roussel Uclaf causality assessment method score, only patients with scores ≥6 or diagnosed with DILI by three experts after scoring <6 were included in the analysis. Among them, 460 cases met the EASL biochemical criteria. The study categorized children into three age groups: toddlers (≥30 days to <6 years old), school-age children (6 to <12 years old), and adolescents (12 to <18 years old).
Results:
Hepatocellular injury was the predominant clinical classification, accounting for 63% of cases, with 34% of these cases meeting Hy's law criteria. Adolescents comprised the majority of children with moderate/severe DILI (65%). Similarly, adolescents faced a significantly higher risk of severe liver injury compared to younger children (adjusted odd ratios 4.75, p = 0.002). The top three most frequently prescribed drug classes across all age groups were antineoplastic agents (25.9%), antimicrobials (21.5%), and traditional Chinese medicine (13.7%). For adolescents, the most commonly suspected drugs were antitubercular drugs (22%) and traditional Chinese medicine (23%).
Conclusion:
Adolescents are at a greater risk of severe and potentially fatal liver injury compared to younger children. Recognizing the risk of pediatric DILI is crucial for ensuring safe medical practices.
Impact And Implications:
Drug-induced liver injury, a poorly understood yet serious cause of pediatric liver disease, encompasses a spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from asymptomatic liver enzyme elevation to acute liver failure. This retrospective study, utilizing a large Chinese cohort of pediatric liver injury cases from 308 centers nationwide, characterized the major clinical patterns and suspected drugs in detail, revealing that adolescents are at a greater risk of severe liver injury compared to younger children. Vigilant care and careful surveillance of at-risk pediatric patients are crucial for physicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, and policymakers. Additional multicenter prospective studies are needed to evaluate the risk of hepatotoxicity in outpatients and hospitalized pediatric patients.
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