Training enhancement for new challenges in pediatric liver diseases 

With the improvement in health economics and wide application of vaccines,the incidence of viral hepatitis decreases dramatically; however,the proportion of non- infectious liver diseases,such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,hereditary liver disease,and autoimmune hepatitis,climbs up rapidly. This paper summarizes the development and current situation of the subspecialties of pediatric liver diseases. In recent years,the clinical and basic research on domestic pediatric liver diseases has made some progress through the application of new techniques,such as liver biopsy,bile acid spectrum analysis,screening for inherited metabolic diseases,and genetic diagnosis. However,Chinese pediatricians are confronting new challenges from growing knowledge on liver diseases,expanding disease spectrum,and increasing demand for liver transplant. However,there is an urgent need to enhance the development of the subspecialty of pediatric hepatology in China,because most Chinese pediatricians have little knowledge of liver diseases,and there is a severe shortage of specialized medical staff for pediatric liver diseases.