Study of Lactulose in Children With Chronic Liver Disease

Summary

Pediatric patients with chronic liver disease may have Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy(MHE)which can cause changes in behavior,intelligence and neurological function.By utilizing cognitive and developmental testing we will determine if patients have MHE. If so, we will trial 3 months of blinded placebo or Lactulose treatment followed by a washout period with no treatment. At this time patients are re-tested and then begin another three month period switching to the opposite treatment of first 3 months.Final cognitive/developmental testing will determine if Lactulose treatment has any effect on MHE.

Timeline

Start

2009-01

Primary completion

2010-11

Completion

2010-11

Drugs

Indications