Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2013; 19(31): 5174-5177
Published online Aug 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i31.5174
Green tea extract: A potential cause of acute liver failure
Shreena S Patel, Stacey Beer, Debra L Kearney, Garrett Phillips, Beth A Carter
Shreena S Patel, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Stacey Beer, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Debra L Kearney, Garrett Phillips, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Beth A Carter, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Author contributions: Patel SS was the resident physician for the patient; Beer S was the dietician for the patient; Kearney DL and Phillips G performed the pathological exam on liver tissue; Carter BA was the attending physician for the patient; Patel SS wrote the paper; Beer S, Kearney DL, Phillips G and Carter BA edited and reviewed the paper.
Correspondence to: Shreena S Patel, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin Str, Suite A 170, Houston ,TX 77030, United States. sspatel3@texaschildrens.org
Telephone: +1-832-8221076 Fax: +1-832-8221076
Received: April 18, 2013
Revised: May 29, 2013
Accepted: June 1, 2013
Published online: August 21, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: Green tea extract is one of the most common herbal supplements ingested worldwide and is manufactured into more than 100 different over-the-counter products. Although traditionally considered safe, it has been linked to hepatotoxicity and led to acute impending liver failure in our adolescent patient. Eliminating multiple etiologies and with tissue evidence, a weight-loss supplement containing green tea extract was likely to blame. Recovery was over a two-month course. The lack of regulation and provider guidance in the use of this product and dietary supplements in general is significant. We highlight the importance of monitoring patient use of dietary supplements.