Acute Liver Failure
What are the Complications of Acute Liver Failure?
Acute liver failure often causes complications, some of which are:
- Kidney failure – often occurs following liver failure, especially as a result of acetaminophen poisoning which damages both the liver and the kidneys.
- Bleeding disorders - due to the body's inability to clot blood properly.
- Infections – respiratory and urinary tract infections are common as well as infections in the blood.
- Cerebral edema (excessive fluid in the brain) – leading to irreversible brain damage and death.
- Coma – Mental confusion, difficulty concentrating and disorientation (hepatic encephalopathy) can progress to coma if liver function does not return.
References
Mayo Clinic “Acute Liver Failure” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/liver-failure/DS00961. Retrieved May 20, 2011
Medscape “Diagnosis and Management of Acute Liver Failure” http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/720697_3. Retrieved May 20, 2011
Palmer, M.D., Melissa. Dr. Melissa Palmer’s Guide to Hepatitis & Liver Disease. New York: Avery Trade, 2004.
U.S. National Library of Medicine NIH National Institutes of Health “Acute liver failure caused by 'fat burners' and dietary supplements: a case report and literature review” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21499580. Retrieved May 20, 2011
U.S. National Library of Medicine NIH National Institutes of Health “Influence of high body mass index on outcome in acute liver failure” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16996806. Retrieved May 20, 2011
Worman, MD Howard J. The Liver Disorders and Hepatitis Sourcebook. McGraw-Hill, 2006