Am J Dis Child 1985 Apr;139(4):381-4

Mortality from liver disease in children. Implications for hepatic transplantation programs.

Lloyd-Still JD

Abstract
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.