Mortality from liver disease in children. Implications for hepatic transplantation programs
J. D. Lloyd-Still
Mortality from liver disease in a pediatric hospital was reviewed to assess
the implications for hepatic transplantation programs. Between 1976 and
1983, 81 children died of hepatic failure that included biliary atresia (n
= 20), metabolic disorders (n = 22), Reye's syndrome (n = 7), infections (n
= 15), cholestatic syndromes (n = 12), and miscellaneous causes (n = 5).
Hepatic failure was considered the secondary cause of death in only five
patients. Acute hepatic failure was present in 42% (34/81) of patients,
whereas 58% (47/81) had preexisting chronic liver disease. Forty (49.4%) of
the 81 patients died in infancy, including two thirds of the patients with
biliary atresia. Liver disease accounted for 6.6% (81/1,225) of all deaths
in our hospital during this eight-year period. During this interval, eight
patients (six alive) underwent liver transplantation. Approximately 2.9
patients per year will be candidates for liver transplantation.
