RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hepatic dysfunction has a significant role in intensive care unit patients' morbidity and mortality. AIM: To study the frequency, risk factors and outcome of secondary hepatic dysfunction in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: Secondary hepatic dysfunction was defined as the development of abnormal liver functions in a patient without a previous liver disease during intensive care unit stay. The following data were collected: age, gender, indication of admission, type of organ dysfunction, presence of sepsis, shock, need for inotropic support or mechanical ventilation, administered medications and mortality scores. Liver function tests were done on admission and at 7-day intervals. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-one patients were included. Forty-three (28.5%) acquired secondary hepatic dysfunction. Several risk factors were significantly associated with secondary hepatic dysfunction: sepsis (p<0.001), cardiovascular events (p<0.001), hypoxia (p<0.001), number of administered antibiotics (Pâ¯=â¯0.001), use of inotropes (p<0.001) and mechanical ventilation (pâ¯=â¯0.001). Secondary hepatic dysfunction was significantly associated with mortality and prolonged length of stay (P=<0.001). CONCLUSION: Secondary hepatic dysfunction is a common finding in the pediatric intensive care unit. Sepsis, cardiovascular events and hypoxia, are the main risk factors for secondary hepatic dysfunction. Mortality and prolonged length of stay are strongly related to secondary hepatic dysfunction.
