Acute liver failure (ALF) is a syndrome defined by the rapid decline of hepatic function, jaundice, coagulopathy (INR>1.5) and hepatic encephalopathy in patients with no evidence of previous liver disease. In children, the etiology of ALF is different, depending on age, and is associated with a high mortality, despite optimal medical therapy. The treatment for children with ALF will be directed to maintain vital functions, to prevent and treat the complications or against the etiologic agent when it is known. The therapeutic measures consist in stabilizing the child by the administration or adjustment of liquids, vasoactive medication or respiratory support if necessary, the treatment of encephalopathy through measures to reduce the ammonia in the blood, correction of hypoglycemia or hydroelectrolytic imbalances, the treatment of hemorrhage and coagulopathy. Specific treatment can be life-saving if the etiology is known, and includes administering antidots in toxic ALF, antivirals or antibacterial medication in infectious causes, immunosuppressive therapy in autoimmune hepatitis, cooper chelators in Wilson disease, or specific diets in metabolic disorders. In severe ALF in children, extracorporeal methods (hemodiafiltration, plasma exchange or hepatic dialysis) may be used, but the only therapeutic option remains emergency liver transplantation. The management of these cases requires a multidisciplinary team, involving pediatric hepatologist, critical care specialist, nephrologist, or liver transplant surgeon.