Cirrhosis of the Liver

Treatment of Children

Pediatric specialists at Mayo Clinic work together to diagnose and treat children who have cirrhosis.

Many types of liver disease may lead to cirrhosis. Since early-stage cirrhosis rarely causes signs or symptoms, it is typically discovered when symptoms of underlying liver disease(s) are being investigated. Even though cirrhosis can cause significant liver damage, the disease usually progresses slowly in children and most symptoms can be controlled.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cirrhosis is generally the same for both children and adults.

Specialists in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology evaluate each child's condition, looking for the source of the cirrhosis. Several liver diseases can cause cirrhosis, including Hepatitis B and C, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, biliary atresia, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, primary sclerosing cholangitis, Wilson's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and bile duct disease.

Blood tests, CT scans, liver biopsies, and MRI and ultrasonography studies help confirm the cause of the cirrhosis, and the extent of liver damage.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for cirrhosis are generally the same for children and adults.

Treatment options vary based on the underlying cause or type of cirrhosis. Liver damage is irreversible; however, when diagnosed early, it can be managed as a chronic condition. Treatment focuses on managing the specific liver dysfunctions and preventing further complications.

If cirrhosis is undetected before severe liver damage occurs, a liver transplant may be the patient's only option. Mayo Clinic is one of the leading centers in the world for liver transplantation.

Appointments

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, or complete an online appointment request form.