N-acetylcysteine in Non-Acetaminophen Pediatric Acute Liver Failure

University of Pittsburgh184 enrolled

Overview

We have completed patient enrollment in the the double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous (IV) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) vs. placebo for the treatment of non-acetaminophen ALF. The purpose of this study is to examine the safety and efficacy of intravenous NAC in children with ALF for whom no antidote or other specific treatment is available. Inclusion in the NAC Study required enrollment in the Pediatric Acute Liver Failure (PALF) Study Registry.

The Pediatric Acute Liver Failure (PALF) Study Group to identify, characterize, and develop management strategies for infants, children and adolescents who present with acute liver failure. The PALF study group includes 20 sites (17 in the United States, 2 in the United Kingdom, and 1 in Canada). The primary objective of the Pediatric Acute Liver Failure (PALF) study is to collect, maintain, analyze, and report clinical, epidemiological, and outcome data in children with ALF, including information derived from biospecimens. Patients enrolled in the PALF study registry were able to enroll in the NAC study providing they met the additional required inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

184

Conditions

Acute Liver Failure Hepatic Encephalopathy

Interventions

N-acetylcysteineDRUG

The study drug is administered as a continuous infusion at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day for up to 7 days following entry into the study. The infusion is discontinued at the time of death, liver transplant or discharge.

PlaceboDRUG

Eligible children were adaptively allocated within strata defined by age (less than 2 years of age or at least 2 years old) and hepatic encephalopathy (grade 0-1 or 2-4) to receive N-acetylcysteine (150 mg/kg/d) in 5% dextrose (D5W) and water or placebo consisting of an equal volume of D5W alone. Volumes were adjusted for small children. Study medications were infused over 24 hours for up to 7 consecutive days in a dedicated line without other medications. Treatment was stopped earlier than 7 days in the case of hospital discharge, liver transplantation, or death within 7 days of randomization.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMax age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Meet entry criteria for and be enrolled in the Pediatric Acute Liver Failure prospective database. * Able to be evaluated and initiate treatment within the first 24 hours of hospitalization * Patients transferred from referring hospitals to the study site may be considered for enrollment, provided that no other treatment protocol has begun, and that no liver support device (BAL, extracorporeal liver assist device, transgenic pig perfusion) has been used or is contemplated. * Use of fresh frozen plasma infusions will not disqualify patients from participation. Exclusion Criteria: * older than 18 years of age * pregnancy * ALF that is secondary to acute acetaminophen toxicity, mushroom poisoning, or a known malignancy. * Patients who exhibit signs of cerebral herniation, have intractable arterial hypotension, require inotropic drugs, or demonstrate signs of sepsis (temperature ≥ 39.5o C or bacteremia) at the time of enrollment * No exclusion will be made on the basis of race, ethnic group or gender. * Criteria for inclusion of females and minorities will be those established in the NIH guidelines

Locations (20)

University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Survival

Spontaneous survival without transplant plus survival following transplantation

Time frame: One year following randomization

Secondary Outcomes

Spontaneous Recovery

Survival without liver transplantation

Time frame: One year following randomization

Cumulative Percent Incidence of Transplantation by 1 Year

Time frame: Within 1 year of randomization

Length of Hospital Stay

Time frame: Randomization to hospital discharge

Categorized Length of ICU Stay

The length of ICU stay was categorized as number of days in ICU within 7 days of randomization, unless participant either died or received an LTx within this time period. Special categories were created for these cases.

Time frame: Within 7 days of randomization

Number of Organ Systems Failing

Time frame: Within 7 days of randomization

Highest Coma Grade of Hepatic Encephalopathy

West Haven Criteria for hepatic encephalopathy (Grade 0 - IV ) is used for participants \> 3 year of age. Coma grade IV indicates a participant who is comatose , with no reflexes, is decerebrate and has abnormal EEG changes with very slow delta activity. For participants less than 3 years the Whittington Scale was used. The Whittington scale does not use EEG changes and has only 3 levels, early (grades I and II), Mid (III) with somnolence, stupor, combativeness and Late (IV) for participants who are comatose with absent reflexes and decerebrate or decorticate posturing.

Time frame: Within 7 days of randomization

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.