When the liver fails in a pediatric patient, these things can happen:
- Your child may not grow and develop normally.
- The liver does not take in or store enough nutrients and vitamins from food.
- Blood does not clot as quickly as it should. This can cause your child to bruise easily or bleed longer after an injury.
- Your child’s eyes or skin may begin to look yellow if his liver cannot filter out harmful substances. The yellow coloring is called jaundice.
- Your child’s stomach may get larger because of extra fluid in the abdomen (the area between the chest and hips). This is known as ascites.
- Fluid may collect in your child’s feet and legs. This is known as edema.
- Your child’s skin may itch.
- Your child may be weak or tired.
- Your child may have a loss of appetite, upset stomach or lose weight.
- Your child may develop cirrhosis, which is the result of chronic liver disease. It can lead to scarring of the liver and liver failure.