The authors also provide guidelines for managing children with this rare condition to ensure early detection of cancer and management of other health issues.

Four children had a cancer which is very rare in childhood, called hepatocellular carcinoma. The cells from these children showed that the DNA repair pathway does not work normally, but why they are so susceptible to liver disease is not known yet.

Seven children with a new type of DNA repair disorder caused by changes in the ERCC1 gene were identified in this study. These children had particular problems with liver and kidney function, and three of the children needed a liver transplant.

DNA repair disorders are rare conditions where the body’s process to repair damage to DNA does not work properly.