Suspecting metabolic liver disease in an infant or young child with acute liver failure, and a protocol-based workup for diagnosis is the need of the hour.

Data over the last 15 years was searched through Pubmed using the keywords “Metabolic liver disease” and “Acute liver failure” with emphasis on Indian perspective. Those published in English language where full text was retrievable were included for this review.

Metabolic liver diseases account for 13-43% cases of acute liver failure in infants and young children. Etiology remains indeterminate in very few cases of liver failure in studies where metabolic liver diseases were recognized in large proportion. Galactosemia, tyrosinemia and mitochondrial disorders in young children and Wilson’s disease in older children are commonly implicated. A high index of suspicion for metabolic liver diseases should be kept when there is strong family history of consanguinity, recurrent abortions or sibling deaths; and history of recurrent diarrhea, vomiting, failure to thrive or developmental delay. Simple dietary modifications and/or specific management can be life-saving if instituted promptly.

A high index of suspicion in presence of red flag symptoms and signs, and a protocol-based approach helps in timely diagnosis and prompt administration of lifesaving therapy.