Acute infantile liver failure associated with fever, syndrome of

(ILFS1, ILFS2, ILFS3)

Prevalence; 1/1.106. Autosomal recessive transmission.

Three forms have been identified:


-        ILFS1: mutation of the LARS1 gene (5q32) [MIM 615 438]

-        ILFS2: mutation of the NABS gene (2p24.3) (neuroblastoma amplified sequence) [MIM 616 483]. The NBAS gene is co-expressed in excess with the MYC gene in neuroblastoma. The NBAS-coded protein is a component of the synthaxin 18 complex that is a key component of retrograde vesicular transport from Golgi's bodies to the endoplasmic reticulum. This complex is heat-sensitive, which may explain the pathophysiology of the disease. Special phenotype: retrognathia, clinodactyly of the fifth finger, brachydactyly of the toes III and V, diffuse osteopenia, vormian bones or bony structures in the cranial sutures.

-        ILFS3: mutation of the RINT1 gene (7q22.3); in addition: short stature, vertebral abnormalities (hypoplasia, platyspondylia) and dysplasia of the femoral heads [MIM 618 641].


Onset before 2 years of age. Recurrent episodes of acute liver failure occurring during febrile episodes: vomiting, apathy, hypoglycemia, liver encephalopathy, sometimes coma, hepatomegaly. Liver function returns to normal between these episodes, which usually disappear after 4 years of age.


Treatment: symptomatic for acute liver failure, sometimes liver transplantation.


Anesthetic implications: 

check the liver enzymes and hepatic function; aggressive prevention of any febrile episode


References : 


Updated July 2020