Childrens Liver Disease Foundation

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Childhood Liver Disease - The Facts

At least two children are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK.
More Children in the UK are currently diagnosed with a liver disease than childhood leukaemia
Most childhood liver diseases are life threatening; all mean a lifetime of care
There are over 100 different liver diseases that can affect babies, children or young people
For most childhood liver diseases the cause is unknown
For most childhood liver disease there is no cure
CLDF is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to stamping out childhood liver disease

Details of 'Yellow Alert', CLDF's prolonged jaundice awareness campaign, can be found under the education programme tab, along with information on the functions of the liver and liver diseases affecting children.

Family Support

The support team at CLDF provides practical and emotional support to families affected by childhood liver disease according to individual needs.

The support service includes:

CLDF Literature Service - providing a wide range of leaflets for families and young people including CLDF's medical, nutrition, bereavement and support series'
CLDF On-Call - someone at the end of the phone and email whenever a family needs us
CLDF Face2Face - CLDF support officers attend hospital clinics to meet with families. Families can also choose to meet with the support team at CLDF's offices in Birmingham
e-talk - an online forum enabling families to ask questions and share experiences with others affected by childhood liver disease

CLDF's young persons support officer also provides a Face2Face programme for children and young people, and 'CLDF Time 4 U' - a confidential e-mail and telephone support line.

link: more information on family support


	The signs and symptoms of liver disease are often non-specific. As a result liver disease may frequently be overlooked. This can have devastating consequences. CLDF recognises that raising awareness is vital and can save lives. CLDF's education programme plays a key role in helping to inform families of children with liver disease, the general public and healthcare professionals. CLDF has a wide range of literature available for families and runs a study-day programme for healthcare professionals to help promote early diagnosis and appropriate referral. CLDF's prolonged jaundice awareness campaign, 'Yellow Alert' is also a key tool for raising awareness.		Funding research enables CLDF to offer hope of a brighter future for children with liver disease and their families. Since 1980, and thanks largely to work funded by CLDF, there have been enormous advancements in knowledge and treatment. CLDF is dedicated to ensuring that this continues. Research into paediatric liver disease is not a priority funding area for the government and, as such, CLDF's support of research is vital. However to make a real difference we need to provide a minimum of £1 million every year.

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