The reports of the World Health Organization (WHO) on global mortality rates by cause suggest that liver disease is an uncommon cause of death in children worldwide, being probably responsible for less than 1% of all paediatric deaths. Nonetheless, viral hepatitis and related liver cancer affect a large number of children, especially in developing countries. In these areas, childhood mortality from liver disease is mainly caused by preventable or treatable conditions, such as HAV, HBV and HCV infections. In Western countries, liver disease is the 20th cause of mortality in childhood, and the most common chronic diseases are biliary atresia and genetic cholestatic disorders. Paediatric liver disease presents most commonly in the first 2 years of life and often progresses to chronicity. Many such conditions end up with cirrhosis and its complications, leading to the need for liver transplantation in a large proportion of cases. A global vision of paediatric liver disease is necessary, since most deaths are caused by preventable or curable conditions.
Casotti, V., D'Antiga, L. (2019). Liver disease in paediatric medicine: An overview. In L. D'antiga (a cura di), Pediatric Hepatology and Liver Transplantation (pp. 3-19). Springer International Publishing [10.1007/978-3-319-96400-3_1].
Liver disease in paediatric medicine: An overview
D'antiga L.
2019
Abstract
The reports of the World Health Organization (WHO) on global mortality rates by cause suggest that liver disease is an uncommon cause of death in children worldwide, being probably responsible for less than 1% of all paediatric deaths. Nonetheless, viral hepatitis and related liver cancer affect a large number of children, especially in developing countries. In these areas, childhood mortality from liver disease is mainly caused by preventable or treatable conditions, such as HAV, HBV and HCV infections. In Western countries, liver disease is the 20th cause of mortality in childhood, and the most common chronic diseases are biliary atresia and genetic cholestatic disorders. Paediatric liver disease presents most commonly in the first 2 years of life and often progresses to chronicity. Many such conditions end up with cirrhosis and its complications, leading to the need for liver transplantation in a large proportion of cases. A global vision of paediatric liver disease is necessary, since most deaths are caused by preventable or curable conditions.
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