Figure 1
Figure 2
Demographic variables and differences between groups of infants with normal and elevated liver enzymes at the first presentation
| Variable | Normal liver enzyme levels (n = 15) | Elevated liver enzyme levels (n = 27) | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | |||
| Male | 8 | 18 | 0.39 |
| Female | 7 | 9 | |
| Gestational age (weeks) | |||
| 37 | 2 | 8 | 0.59 |
| 38 | 9 | 12 | |
| 39 | 3 | 3 | |
| 40 | 1 | 3 | |
| >40 | 0 | 1 | |
| Birth weight (g) | |||
| <2500 | 1 | 0 | 0.43 |
| 2501–3000 | 4 | 11 | |
| 3001–3500 | 9 | 13 | |
| >3500 | 1 | 3 | |
| Mode of delivery | |||
| Normal delivery | 6 | 13 | 0.61 |
| Cesarean section | 9 | 14 | |
| Liver enzyme (mean ± standard deviation) | |||
| AST (U/L) | 24.0–69.0 (35.6 ± 11.3) | 22.0–184.0 (50.4 ± 33.1) | 0.103 |
| ALT (U/L) | 10.0–33.0 (17.4 ± 6.2) | 10.0–56.0 (25.2 ± 13.2) | 0.013* |
| ALP (U/L) | 139.0–479.0 (262.5 ± 8.0) | 131.0–546.0 (320.8 ± 105.8) | 0.096 |
| GGT (U/L) | 57.0–124.0 (94.0 ± 23.6) | 55.0–352.0 (204.8 ± 75.8) | <0.001* |
Comparison of serum levels of liver enzymes between participants who completed the study and were lost to follow up in the group with elevated liver enzyme levels
| Group | Range | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGT (U/L) | ALT (U/L) | AST (U/L) | ALP (U/L) | |
| Completed | 55.0–341.0 (196.7 ± 90.7) | 13.0–55.0 (27.5 ± 12.3) | 27.0–109.0 (51.8 ± 21.9) | 137.0–513.0 (319.7 ± 105.5) |
| Lost to follow up | 156.0–352.0 (212.2 ± 62.9) | 10.0–56.0 (23.1 ± 14.2) | 22.0–184.0 (49.1 ± 41.8) | 131.0–546.0 (321.8 ± 110.4) |
| P | 0.66 | 0.39 | 0.84 | 0.96 |
Total bilirubin level for each group at the first presentation and at age 2 months
| Group | Total bilirubin level (mg/dL) mean ± standard deviation | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First presentation | P | Age 2 months§ | P | |
| Normal liver enzymes | 14.1 ± 4.1 | 0.76 | 2.2 ± 1.7 | 0.09 |
| Elevated liver enzymes | 14.4 ± 2.7 | 4.1 ± 3.5 | ||