Etiology and prognostic factors of acute liver failure in children.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening condition characterized by jaundice, encephalopathy and coagulopathy leading to multiorgan failure in a patient with no prior history of liver disease. Forty three consecutive patients of ALF admitted in Pediatric ICU were studied for etiology and prognostic factors. Etiology was established in 91% cases. Viral infections were the most common cause. Mortality rate was 44%. Increasing grade of encephalopathy, >7 days interval between the onset of prodromal symptoms and encephalopathy, blood glucose <45mg/dL, serum bilirubin > 10mg/dL and pH <7.35 or >7.45 on admission were found to be associated with increased risk of mortality.