Fulminant hepatic failure and hepatic encephalopathy

Fulminant hepatic failure implies either acute massive destruction of liver tissue or another process that causes rapid deterioration in function of a previously normal liver. The diagnosis of fulminant hepatic failure in children needs to be differentiated from hepatic failure that occurs as a complication of underlying congenital, anatomical, and metabolic abnormalities. In patients with any chronic liver disease, liver failure may eventually occur; however, the approach to and success of therapy will be different but is not discussed.