Open AccessThe Role of a NICU Hepatology Consult Service in Assessing Liver Dysfunction in the Premature Infant
Author(s) -
Potter Carol
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
jpgn reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2691-171X
DOI - 10.1097/pg9.0000000000000031
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatology , liver disease , pediatrics , neonatal intensive care unit , etiology , intensive care medicine , referral , disease , liver dysfunction , intensive care , organ dysfunction , sepsis , family medicine
Liver dysfunction is common in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Literature exists on the presentation of primary liver disease in the NICU but little has been published on general liver dysfunction in the NICU. This is a retrospective observational study of hepatology consultations and outcomes in a large referral NICU. 157 babies were evaluated by a single hepatologist and followed to resolution of disease, death, or lost to follow‐up as outpatients. Infectious etiologies were the most common cause for liver dysfunction in the NICU, followed by shock, genetic abnormalities, cardiac disease, large heme loads, and hypothyroidism. Primary liver disease was rare. Liver dysfunction in the sick preterm infant was often multifactorial, and the distribution of diagnoses differs from that seen in the term baby. The liver dysfunction may last well beyond discharge from the NICU and may result in death.