Signs & Symptoms of the Onset of Liver Failure in Children

Dealing with a sick child can be a heartbreaking ordeal, especially when the illness is a serious one. For various reasons, some illnesses can cause extensive damage to a child's liver, resulting in kidney failure. This is why it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of kidney failure onset and report these symptoms to a physician.

Jaundice

• As the liver becomes damaged, it may be come inflamed, causing a blockage in the bile ducts. When this happens, an excess of bilirubin (bile pigment) begins to build up in the child's blood stream. This results in jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and sclera (whites of the eyes). Extent of liver damage can be measured by how yellow the child's skin becomes, as this indicates higher levels of bilirubin in the blood. It is generally one of the first signs of liver failure. Sometimes, it is the only sign.

Enlargement

• Swelling or enlargement of the liver, also known as hepatomegaly, can sometimes indicate liver trouble. Often, a child has no symptoms associated with liver enlargment. In serious cases, he might complain that he feels too full or that he has abdominal discomfort.

Cholestasis

• Cholestasis refers to the reduction or complete stoppage of bile flow in the body. In some cases, the bile is trapped inside the liver. It can also be trapped outside the liver, or trapped in both areas. While jaundice is one of the first indicators of cholestasis, it is not the only one. Easy bleeding and bruising, itching of the skin, pale stool and dark urine are all signs of bile disruption in a child's body.

Liver Encephalopathy

• As the liver loses its ability to filter the bloodstream, toxic substances begin to accumulate in a child's body. These toxins can have an adverse effect on the brain, causing deterioration. Common signs of this affliction include: changes in a child's behavior and personality, slurred speech, sluggish movement, disorientation and mood swings.

Ascites

• When there is increased damage to a child's liver, vessels on the surface of the organ as well as on the intestines begin to leak fluid, which collects in the abdominal cavity. This condition, known as ascites, is characterized by a bloated, protruding abdomen. In some cases, this fluid can collect in the child's legs, a condition known as edema.