Child–Pugh Classification: Time to Abandon?

Abstract

The Child–Pugh classification is one of the commonest and oldest bedside tools utilized in estimating prognosis in patients with cirrhosis. However, its usage as a risk prediction tool or indeed a decision-making tool should be revisited. In this review, we discuss some inherent issues with the Child–Pugh classification and present a few contexts in which the current usage of Child–Pugh warrants reassessment, elaborating on its utility in acute variceal bleeding, specifically its role in decision-making on early transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, as well as its use in the context of hepatocellular carcinoma and drug development and dose adjustment.

Keywords

Child–Pugh - risk prediction - modeling

Financial support

None

Author Contributions

B.K. and J.G.A. drafted the final manuscript.

• References

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