Two adolescent cases of early use of Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System^® for drug-induced fulminant hepatic failure

Abstract

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a rare but fatal disease with a 40%-80% mortality, often requiring liver transplantation, which is hard to perform in children. A therapeutic intervention alternative to liver transplantation is an extracorporeal artificial liver support system. Molecular Adsorbent Recirculation Systems® (MARS) has emerged as a bridge therapy for adult FHF, whereas in pediatric FHF, there have been a small number of cases of implementing MARS. Recently, we witnessed the recovery of 2 teenagers with FHFs caused by acetaminophen and a diet aid. Both patients were treated uneventfully, with early use of MARS. These cases suggest that early use of MARS may be a promising therapeutic intervention in pediatric drug-induced FHF.