ABSTRACT
In the United States, there are approximately 2000 cases/year o f acute hepatic failure (AHF) in adults and children.1 The term “fulminant hepatitis” was introduced by Lucke and Mallory in 1948 to describe posttransfusion hepatitis in soldiers dying within 9 days of the onset of their illness.2 Since that time, the criteria for defining fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) have evolved due to improved understanding of the etiology, prognosis and complica tions of the disease. However, in spite of our improved understanding of the disease process, the definition and classification of FHF continue to remain confusing and often controversial.
