Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) is not a diagnosis but a clinical syndrome. The present study was conducted to assess cases of acute liver failure (ALF) in children. Materials & Methods: 60 children with acute liver failure of both genders were recruited. Laboratory parameters (transaminases, bilirubin, gammaglutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, prothrombin time and INR, glycemia, complete blood count, and blood pH), and outcome of children with ALF was recorded. Results: Age group 0-12 months had 6 boys and 3 girls, 1-5 years had 10 boys and 12 girls, 6-18 years had 12 boys and 11 girls and >18 years had 2 boys and 4 girls. The etiology found to be drug-induced liver injury in 22, hereditary fructose intolerance in 5, mushroom poisoning in 7, herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in 10, hepatitis B virus infection in 8, type I autoimmune hepatitis in 4 and type II autoimmune hepatitis in 2 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Most common etiology was drug-induced liver injury, mushroom poisoning and herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. Key words: Acute liver injury, drug-induced liver injury, mushroom poisoning