N-acetylcysteine in children with dengue-associated liver failure: a case report

J Trop Pediatr. 2012 Oct;58(5):409-13. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmr108. Epub 2011 Dec 23.

Abstract

There is no specific treatment for dengue-associated fulminant liver failure. We report a child with dengue-associated fulminant liver failure who was treated successfully with intravenous N-acetylcysteine. A 6-year-old boy was diagnosed with dengue-associated fulminant liver failure. After administration of intravenous N-acetylcysteine, a rapid decrease in liver transaminases and normalization of coagulation profile was observed followed by clinical improvement and favourable outcome despite factors associated with poor prognosis. The use of intravenous N-acetylcysteine is safe and efficient in the treatment of dengue-associated fulminant liver failure, especially in centres when liver transplantation is not readily available.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / administration & dosage*
  • Acetylcysteine / therapeutic use
  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Dengue / complications*
  • Dengue / diagnosis
  • Dengue / virology
  • Dengue Virus / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Liver Failure, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / etiology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / virology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Transaminases / blood
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Transaminases
  • Acetylcysteine