Signs and Symptoms of Liver Diseases in Children

Children often show some signs of persistent (chronic) liver disease. These signs are sometimes not acute and must be meticulously checked during the child’s visits to a regular healthcare provider or clinic. The signs may include:

·        Izchy skin: Itchy skin can result from a buildup of bile (a fluid secreted by the liver which aids digestion) in the child’s body.

·        Easy bleeding and bruising: A child may bleed and bruise easily due to a lack of vitamin K or if the liver is not able to use vitamin K it has.

·        Pale stools: Acholic stools can be a sign that the liver is not releasing or making bilirubin, which typically colors the stools. It can also be due to liver inflammation or liver infection.

·        Loss of appetite: Liver disease can lead to loss of appetite, which may lead to the body not getting enough nutrients the child needs (malnutrition).

·        Bone fractures: Bone fractures may occur more easily in a child with liver disease. Liver disease can cause decreased bone density (thickness of bones). If a child breaks a bone easily, they need medical care immediately.

Children with chronic liver disease can also have symptoms of malnutrition. This may happen because the liver is not processing nutrients. Children with malnutrition may suffer from:

·        Weight loss or poor growth as the liver does not help the child’s body to use fat normally

·        Rickets: A disease that causes low bone density or insufficient bone tissue. Signs of rickets in newborns include weakness, and in older children, it may be bowlegs or ribs that feel very bumpy where they meet the sternum or the breastbone.