title: Management of adults with paediatric-onset chronic liver disease: strategic issues for transition care.
abstract: Advances in the management of children with chronic liver disease have enabled many to survive into adulthood with or without their native livers, so that the most common of these conditions are becoming increasingly common in adult hepatology practice. Because the aetiologies of chronic liver disease in children may vary significantly from those in adulthood, adults with paediatric-onset chronic liver disease may often present with clinical manifestations unfamiliar to their adulthood physician. Transition of medical care to adult practice requires that the adulthood medical staff (primary physicians and subspecialists) have a comprehensive knowledge of childhood liver disease and their implications, and of the differences in caring for these patients. Pending still unavailable Scientific Society guidelines, this article examines causes, presentation modes, evaluation, management, and complications of the main paediatric-onset chronic liver diseases, and discusses key issues to aid in planning a program of transition from paediatric to adult patients.
authors: Chair of Paediatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy. Electronic address: pvajro@unisa.it.
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Vajro
authors: Department of Translational Medicine, Paediatrics Section, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: Lorenza
authors: L
authors: Ferrante
authors: AORN Paediatric Hospital Santobono, Naples, Italy.
authors: Selvaggia
authors: S
authors: Lenta
authors: AORN Paediatric Hospital Santobono, Naples, Italy.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Mandato
authors: Chair of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy.
authors: Marcello
authors: M
authors: Persico
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000328:Adult; D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000628:therapy; D016767:Caroli Disease / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019468:Disease Management; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000628:therapy; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000628:therapy; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000628:therapy; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000534:rehabilitation; D055118:Medication Adherence; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D060728:Reproductive Health; D060305:Transition to Adult Care
keywords: Adolescence; Adulthood; Hepatobiliary diseases; Hepatologist; Paediatrics; Transition care