A child with acute liver failure associated with influenza A and resolved with plasma exchange treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Although liver support systems play a major role as a bridge to transplantation, they may sometimes serve as a lifesaving treatment eliminating this need. Case presentation: We report on a 4-year-old boy who developed acute liver failure due to an influenza A (H3N2) infection as confirmed by clinical and laboratory data (molecular typing, stage 3 encephalopathy, brain edema, increased levels of ammonia, bilirubin, and international normalized ratio 5.2). Testing for any possible underlying liver disease showed no congenital or acquired liver pathology. Oral oseltamivir treatment was initiated and liver support therapy with plasma exchange was performed as a bridge to transplantation. A total of three plasma exchange sessions every other day, with fresh frozen plasma 1.5 times the total blood volume for the first course and 1 times for the subsequent courses, were performed. After the first plasma exchange, encephalopathy improved to stage 2, accompanied by substantial decreases in the elevated liver function tests. At the end of three plasma exchange sessions, the patient’s clinical condition improved significantly. At 14 days after admission, deep tendon reflexes of the patient were normal and levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, bilirubin, ammonia, and international normalized ratio returned to normal. Liver support treatment with plasma exchange resulted in complete recovery and the patient was discharged on the 17th day of admission. Conclusion: Acute supportive treatment with plasma exchange proved to be life-saving in our case.