Liver Care Center

A multicenter therapy trial for acute liver failure

This project involves gathering demographic, clinical and outcome data on patients who present with acute liver failure. The goal of the study group is to improve our understanding of the causes and course of acute liver failure. The study is also carrying out a trial to use N-acetylcysteine in children with acute liver failure. Coinvestigators: John Bucuvalas, MD, and Mike Leonis, MD.

Causes and new treatments for biliary atresia


Projects led by Jorge Bezerra, MD, Alexander Miethke, MD, and Pranav Shivakumar, PhD, are investigating the causes of biliary atresia and aim to develop new treatments to stop progression of disease and improve long-term outcome. They also develop diagnostic tools to detect genetic mutations in children with liver disease.

Quality of life in children after liver transplantation


The long-term goal of this project is to improve outcomes, quality of care and promote cost savings for pediatric liver transplant recipients. Investigators study the health-related quality of life of children who survive liver transplantation and examine the impact of disease severity at transplant and the type of graft received (living-donor or cadaveric) on long-term health-related quality of life. Investigators: John Bucuvalas, MD, Kathleen Campbell, MD, and Nada Yazigi, MD.

Functional health status of children with chronic illness



The purpose of this study is to determine, from the patient and family perspective, the functional health status (physical, emotional, social health) of children with chronic illness. Primary investigator: John Bucuvalas, MD.

Treatment of viral hepatitis

Clinical trials led by William Balistreri, MD. Focus is on evaluating safety and efficacy of antiviral agents in children with chronic infection by hepatitis B or C virus.

Multicenter studies to identify optimal immunosuppression after liver transplantation

The purpose of these studies, led by John Bucuvalas, MD, is to determine biomarkers and optimal time for withdrawal of immunosuppression in children following liver transplantation.

Diagnosis and treatment for children with inborn errors of bile acid metabolism

Building on previous studies that identified errors of bile acid metabolism in children with cholestasis, James Heubi, MD, and William Balistreri, MD, are studying pathogenesis and the long-term outcome of bile acid treatment in this group of children.

Multicenter studies of children with fatty liver disease

Stavra Xanthakos, MD, and Rohit Kohli, MBBS, MS, are investigating the pathogenesis of liver disease associated with obesity. As part of a multicenter consortium, they are exploring the development of biomarkers and new treatments for the liver disease.