Clinical features analysis of 105 children with liver failure

Abstract

Objective To study the clinical features of pediatric liver failure and provide reference for diagnosis and prevention. Methods Clinical data of children diagnosed with liver failure at XX Hospital from 2012 to 2023 were collected and statistically analyzed. Results Among 105 cases of liver failure in children, the age ranged from 1 day to 14 years and 11 months, with a median age of 1 year and 9 months. There were 67 males and 38 females, with acute and subacute liver failure accounting for 82.8%. The most common causes were hereditary metabolic diseases (24 cases, 22.9%), followed by infection factors (12 cases, 11.4%), and biliary diseases (10 cases, 9.5%). However, the cause remained unknown in 34.3% of cases. The most common clinical manifestations were poor appetite, fever, and jaundice. The main complications were hepatic encephalopathy, electrolyte disorders, and infection. There was no statistically significant difference in age, albumin, blood ammonia, presence of hepatic encephalopathy, ALT, and GGT between the survival group and the 28-day mortality group (P>0.05). The survival group had lower PELD/MELD scores, total bilirubin, and INR, and higher platelet count compared to the 28-day mortality group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion Hereditary metabolic diseases, infection, and biliary diseases are common causes of pediatric liver failure. MELD/PELD scores can predict the prognosis of liver failure. Clinical feature analysis and MELD/PELD scores are helpful in guiding clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis assessment.