Acute-on-chronic liver failure: A 20-year retrospective review of a tertiary paediatric liver centre

Aim Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is an acute deterioration of pre-existing chronic liver disease related to a precipitating event. We characterised paediatric ACLF at Birmingham Children's Hospital (BCH) utilising European Association of Liver Disease CLIF criteria, including prevalence, triggers and outcomes. Methods All BCH patients from 2000 to 2020 with CLD who underwent initial liver transplant or died on the transplant waiting list or whilst too unwell to be listed were reviewed. Results From 2000 to 2020, 24 (4%) children with ACLF were identified. Death occurred in 18 (75%). Transplant occurred in 9 (36%), 3 of which died. ACLF triggers were sepsis organism negative 11 (46%), sepsis organism positive 8 (33%) and GI bleed 5 (17%). Bilirubin at the time of transplant/death in those with ACLF who lived compared with those who died was 529 umol/L (381) versus 665 (210) (p=0.38), creatinine 138 umol/L (147) versus 67 (46) (p=0.41), PT 33 sec (14) versus (32 (15) (p = 0.72), Grade 3, 4 hepatic encephalopathy 1 (17%) versus 10 (56%) (p = 0.17), vasopressor use 1 (17%) versus 17 (94%) (p = 0.001) and ventilation 3 (50%) versus 17 (94%) (p = 0.035). Conclusion Acute-on-chronic liver failure whilst infrequent has high rates of mortality. The use of vasopressors and ventilation is more frequent in those who die from ACLF.

Automated summary

This study characterized pediatric acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) at Birmingham Children's Hospital (BCH) using European Association of Liver Disease CLIF criteria. The study found that ACLF has high mortality rates, with increased use of vasopressors and ventilation in patients who died from ACLF.