Disorders of renal function in hepatic coma.

Renal failure is a frequent complication in advanced liver disease (Conn, 1973; Papper, 1978). Gastrointestinal bleeding and forced diuresis may be the causes in fulminant hepalic. failure and cirrhosis (Hecker and Sherlock, 1956; Shear et al., 1965). Hepatic coma or an associated metabolic abnormality may affect renal function or aggravate pre-existing renal abnormalities in severe liver disease (Shear et al., 1965). Reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). raised serum urea and creatinine concentration indicate renal impairment in coma due to hepatitis and cirrhosis (Wilkinson et al., 1975; Shear et al., 1965). Abnormalities -of renal function occur at all stages of liver disease and get more pronounced in liver failure. Pattern of impairment observed in patients with hepatic coma is reported here.