Measurement of liver function for patients with cirrhosis by 13C-methacetin breath test compared with Child-Pugh score and routine liver function tests

^13C-methacetin breath test was used for the evaluation of liver function, as for quantitative data could be achieved using this method, it had the characteristics of safety, quantification, and repetition and got recognition gradually through the world. We began this ^13C- methacetin test to assess liver function of patients with cirrhosis from January 2002. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristic of this test for liver function evaluation and explore the correlation of this method with some clinical liver biochemical parameters and Child-Pugh score.