Pediatric Liver Center FAQ

What are the common symptoms of liver disease in children?

There are many conditions that can affect the liver, depending on the age of the child. Some conditions have symptoms of pain and swelling in the abdomen. Others cause jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and other symptoms, such as itching and severe tiredness.

What is liver failure in children?

Rarely, some liver conditions can lead to liver failure in children. In liver failure, the liver stops working and a child may need a liver transplant. If your child needs a liver transplant, our team follows your child through the transplant process.

How is fatty liver disease in children treated?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where extra fat builds up in the liver and can cause problems. It is one of the most common liver diseases in children, affecting approximately one in 10 children. As of now, there is no medication to treat the disease. The main treatment is gradual weight loss with a healthy lifestyle and a well-balanced diet and exercise. Research shows that decreasing simple carbohydrates and sugar-sweetened beverages is best for our liver health—e.g., cutting out soda and juice. Research shows that losing 10% of their body weight can lead to improvement in children’s liver disease. We bring together a team of Stanford Children’s hepatologists, dietitians, and weight control specialists to care for your child with NAFLD.

What dietary changes are recommended for kids with liver disease?

The liver has an important job in our bodies: It helps us digest our food. When the liver is sick, it sometimes can’t digest food well, and the body needs more calories to grow. A sick liver can sometimes make the belly feel bigger, and children with liver disease can feel full faster. Try having your child eat five or six smaller meals a day instead of three large meals. Also, have them drink water after a meal instead of during it. You can help your child by encouraging them to eat healthy and move regularly, and to eat less sugar, which strains the liver. If more help is needed to get adequate calories and nutrients, our program’s dedicated nutritional experts can create a highly specialized plan for your child, which may include formula, tube feeding, or IV nutrition.

What should we consider when choosing a hospital for a liver transplant?

One of the first qualities to look for in a pediatric liver transplant program is volumes—how many liver transplants a center does each year. The more liver transplants a center does, the more capable the doctors are at performing transplants, handling and avoiding complications, understanding complex situations, and achieving good outcomes. Stanford Children’s is consistently in the top three in the nation for liver transplant volumes. We have performed more than 700 liver transplants in our program’s 25-year history, and we care for more than 450 liver transplant recipients. It’s also important to find a center that conducts leading-edge research, like ours, especially if your child’s liver disease is rare and complex. Lastly, seek out a center that provides tailored, highly specialized care to ensure that all of your child’s health needs are considered, as well as sophisticated diagnostics, such as advanced endoscopy, to achieve a complete diagnosis and effective treatment plan.