Acute or subacute hepatic failure

**Definition:** Acute and subacute liver failure is characterised by onset of coagulopathy and/or hepatic encephalopathy within 8 weeks of onset of symptoms.

**Exclusions:** - Liver disorders in pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium - Liver transplant failure - Hepatic encephalopathy - Drug-induced or toxic liver disease - Chronic viral hepatitis - Alcoholic hepatitis - Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver with hepatic encephalopathy - Hepatic failure complicating abortion, ectopic or molar pregnancy - Icterus of fetus and newborn - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with hepatic encephalopathy - Chronic hepatic failure due to portosystemic shunt