ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses physiology and anatomy, clinical manifestations in liver disease, jaundice (icterus), metabolic disorders, congenital hepatic fibrosis, hepatitis, portal hypertension, gallbladder disease, liver transplantation. It provides clinical manifestations, prognostic features, investigations, and management. Post-prandially, glucose is converted to glycogen and stored, and to fatty acids and transported to adipose tissue. In starvation, glucose is released from glycogen (glycogenolysis) and is synthesized from amino acids, lactate and glycerol (gluconeogenesis). Preterm infants have inefficient regulation of this. Many hormones are inactivated in the liver or targeted to the liver. Drugs metabolized by enzymes including the P450 system, e.g. alcohol. Newborns have decreased capacity to metabolize certain drugs. A condition of progressive obliteration of part or all of the extrahepatic biliary ducts. This leads to chronic liver failure and death. It should be suspected if there is prolonged jaundice beyond 14 days. Neonatal haemochromatosis is an acquired condition secondary to severe prenatal liver disease. Severe liver dysfunction, with liver transplantation usually required.
