Surveillance for infectious complications in pediatric acute liver failure - a prospective study

Diagnosis and management of pediatric acute liver failure: consensus recommendations of the Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ISPGHAN)

Timely diagnosis and management of pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is of paramount importance to improve survival. The Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition invited national and international experts to identify and review important management and research questions. These covered the definition, age appropriate stepwise workup for the etiology, non-invasive diagnosis and management of cerebral edema, prognostic scores, criteria for listing for liver transplantation (LT) and bridging therapies in PALF. Statements and recommendations based on evidences assessed using the modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system were developed, deliberated and critically reappraised by circulation. The final consensus recommendations along with relevant published background information are presented here. We expect that these recommendations would be followed by the pediatric and adult medical fraternity to improve the outcomes of PALF patients.

Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Children with Acute Liver Failure in a Tertiary Care Center in South India: A Retrospective Study

Purpose

In this study, we investigated the clinical profile, survival at discharge, and proportion of children with acute liver failure (ALF) meeting the criteria for, yet surviving without, liver transplantation (LT).

Methods

Medical case records of children aged >28 days to ≤15 years over a period of 7 years, identified from pediatric admission and discharge registers, were screened. Children satisfying the criteria for ALF were included in this study.

Results

A total of 71 records meeting the pediatric ALF (PALF) criteria were included. The survival rate at discharge was 61% (n=44). A considerable proportion of children satisfied the King's College Criteria (KCC) (56.3%) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) criteria (7%) for LT at admission. Nonetheless, the survival rate in the absence of LT was 42.5% in children who satisfied the KCC and 20% in those who met the EASL criteria. Infection (29.5%) and paracetamol overdose (19.7%) were the major identifiable causes of PALF. Hepatitis A was the most common infection identified. No significant predictors of poor outcomes were identified in multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the changing survival rates and the clinical and etiological profiles of patients with PALF. In areas with poor access to LT services, survival in these children could be improved through early referral to centers with adequate intensive care facilities. Preventing ALF and referring patients to LT services are paramount to reducing mortality.

Emergencies in paediatric hepatology

The aetiology of several liver diseases in children is age specific and many of these conditions have significant and potentially long-term clinical repercussions if not diagnosed early and managed in a timely fashion. We address 5 clinical scenarios that cover most of the diagnostic and therapeutic emergencies in children: infants with liver disease; acute liver failure; management of bleeding varices; liver-based metabolic disorders; and liver tumours and trauma. A wide spectrum of conditions that cause liver disease in infants may present as conjugated jaundice, which could be the only symptom of time-sensitive disorders - such as biliary atresia, metabolic disorders, infections, and haematological/alloimmune disorders - wherein algorithmic multistage testing is required for accurate diagnosis. In infantile cholestasis, algorithmic multistage tests are necessary for an accurate early diagnosis, while vitamin K, specific milk formulae and disease-specific medications are essential to avoid mortality and long-term morbidity. Management of paediatric acute liver failure requires co-ordination with a liver transplant centre, safe transport and detailed age-specific aetiological work-up - clinical stabilisation with appropriate supportive care is central to survival if transplantation is indicated. Gastrointestinal bleeding may present as the initial manifestation or during follow-up in patients with portal vein thrombosis or chronic liver disease and can be managed pharmacologically, or with endoscopic/radiological interventions. Liver-based inborn errors of metabolism may present as encephalopathy that needs to be recognised and treated early to avoid further neurological sequelae and death. Liver tumours and liver trauma are both rare occurrences in children and are best managed by a multidisciplinary team in a specialist centre.

Prevalence and Impact of Bacterial Infections in Children With Liver Disease-A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Risk of infections is increased in patients with Acute Liver Failure (ALF) and Decompensated Chronic Liver Disease (DCLD). We evaluated the frequency, site, type and risk-factors for bacterial infections in children with ALF and DCLD and its effect on outcome.

METHODS

ALF or DCLD children were enrolled prospectively. Clinical and laboratory details were recorded. Cultures (blood, urine and ascites) and chest X-ray were done at admission followed by weekly surveillance cultures.

RESULTS

173 patients, 68 ALF and 105 DCLD were enrolled. Infections were more common in DCLD than ALF (60/105 [57.1%] vs. 27/68 [39.7%]; P = 0.02). Ascitic fluid infection, pneumonia, urinary tract infection and bacteremia were seen in 19%, 17.9%, 13.2% and 12.1% patients respectively. Healthcare-Associated (HCA) infections were most frequent (39/87, 44.8%), followed by Nosocomial (NC, 32%) and Community-Acquired (CA, 23%). Nearly 3/4th of bacterial isolates were resistant to cephalosporins and quinolones, 23% being Multiresistant Bacteria (MRB). DCLD patients with infection had higher Child-Pugh Score (10 [6-14] vs. 7 [6-14]; OR 3.2 [1.77-5.10]: P = 0.007), need for ICU care (26/60 vs. 3/45; OR 10.70 [2.98-38.42]: P = 0.01), in-hospital mortality (24/60 vs. 8/45;OR 3.08 [1.22-7.75]: P = 0.04) and mortality at 3 month follow-up (32/60 vs. 9/45; OR 4.57 [1.87-11.12]: P = 0.00). Infection did not affect the outcome in ALF.

CONCLUSION

Infections develop in 40% ALF and 57% DCLD children. HCA and NC infections account for 77% of infections. Most culture isolates are resistant to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones and 23% have MRB. Risk of infections is higher in DCLD patients with advanced liver disease.