Hepatic Failure and Liver Transplant: Working Group Report of the Second World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Abstract

Research Definition(s) of acute liver failure in childhood. Establish reliable predictive (prognostic) factors for acute liver failure. Gain insight into the mechanisms that control proliferation of residual hepatocytes. Intervention Establish guidelines for the recognition of acute liver failure and optimal hospital management. Establish an international committee to evaluate ethical aspects of obtaining materials and criteria to balance risk with benefit in treatment strategies devised to prevent liver transplantation. Conduct randomized multicenter‐controlled trials to establish optimal use, indications and complications of liver support devices in acute liver failure. Education Provide primary health workers with guidelines for early recognition of acute liver failure and optimal hospital management including transfer to services with intensive care facilities and orthotopic liver transplantation. Provide such guidelines with particular emphasis on treatments seen as harmless, and disseminate them to all health professionals likely to be involved with acute liver failure.