Liver and biliary disease in childhood

Acute liver disease or failure in children is the result of viral hepatitis (A, B, E, seronegative), indeterminate hepatitis or inherited metabolic liver disease. The clinical presentation includes jaundice, coagulopathy and encephalopathy. Uncomplicated acute hepatitis resolves spontaneously, but progressive acute liver failure is fatal in 70% of cases and requires referral to specialized units to prevent complications and for consideration for liver transplantation. Chronic liver disease can result from unresolved neonatal liver disease caused by either inherited cholestasis or α1-antitrypsin deficiency.