Author information

1. Swiss Pediatric Liver Center, Division of Pediatric Specialties, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals Geneva and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: valerie.mclin@hcuge.ch.
2. Pediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.

Abstract

That children present with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in the setting of acute liver failure (ALF) is accepted and a recognized prognostic factor for survival [1,2]. What is less understood is the impact of chronic liver disease (CLD) on the neuro-cognitive and -psychiatric development and outcomes of children with chronic liver disease early in life. Much is extrapolated from the adult literature or from work in experimental models. But what distinguishes children is that central nervous system development, characterized by massive brain growth, is ongoing at the time of liver disease, arguably exposing them to unique risks, something which cannot be extrapolated from adults. The purpose of this brief review is to summarize what is distinctive about the neurocognition of children with CLD or having presented CLD or portosystemic bypass in childhood.