Single center experience from Egypt about fulminant hepatic failure in children

Aim: To assess fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in children and its interrelating factors. Methods and materials: A retrospective review study of 24 patients less than 17 years old who presented to the National Liver Institute with FHF over a period of two years was done. FHF was defined as the presence of acute liver failure with or without encephalopathy without pre-existing liver disease, within 8 weeks of the onset of clinical liver disease. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM antibodies, Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), IgM-anti Hepatitis B core antigen (HBc), Hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgM and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in nested PCR were done in all patients. Special investigations like alpha fetoprotein, serum copper, blood culture, drug levels and other metabolic studies were carried out whenever indicated. Detailed clinical evaluations and routine hepatic laboratory profile were done. Results: Acute hepatitis-A virus was the commonest cause. Severe coma was significantly present among non-survivals and no ascites. Patients who survived had got significantly lower level of prothrombin time, they also had significantly lower rate of descent of prothrombin time. Conclusion: Hepatitis A virus was the commonest etiology of FHF. The peak level of total serum bilirubin, the rate of change of the prothrombin time/day and ammonia level were significant predictors of mortality.