title: Acute liver failure complicating viral hepatitis A.
abstract: Hepatitis A is one of the most frequent infectious liver diseases affecting children worldwide. The disease is usually mild and self-limited, and complications are very rare. Nevertheless, hepatitis A can sometimes cause acute liver failure (ALF), a severe, life-threatening condition. Herein is reported a case of a child who presented ALF during a course of hepatitis A. The need for early identification of possible ALF cases among hepatitis A patients, and for effective ways of evaluating such a possibility, are discussed. We also emphasize the importance of prevention measures, especially vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Professor Hosannah Oliveira Pediatric Centre, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel Rui
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Diniz-Santos
authors.forename: Maria Clotildes Nunes de
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Rita Franca
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Luciana Rodrigues
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*