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[Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in children with chronic hepatitis B]

Dariusz Marek Lebensztejn1, Elzbieta Skiba, Maria Elzbieta Sobaniec-Lotowska

  • 1III Klinika Chorób Dzieci Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku. DariuszMar.8810735@pharmanet.com.pl

Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski : Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego
|July 7, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) can predict advanced liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B. This enzyme shows potential as a non-invasive marker for fibrosis assessment in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

Context:

  • Chronic hepatitis B infection in children can lead to liver fibrosis.
  • Accurate assessment of fibrosis is crucial for guiding treatment decisions.
  • Non-invasive biomarkers are needed to complement liver biopsy.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate serum enzyme activities (ALT, AST, GGT, ALP) for assessing liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B.
  • To determine the utility of GGT in predicting advanced fibrosis.

Summary:

  • Serum GGT activity was measured in 47 children (aged 4-16) with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis B before interferon alpha treatment.
  • Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis indicated that a GGT level of 19 IU/l had 50% sensitivity and 90% specificity for advanced fibrosis (Batts and Ludwig score =3).
  • Other tested enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) did not show significant predictive power for advanced fibrosis.

Impact:

  • Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is identified as a suitable serum marker for predicting advanced liver fibrosis in pediatric patients with chronic hepatitis B.
  • This finding may facilitate earlier detection and management of liver fibrosis in children.
  • Highlights the potential of GGT as a non-invasive tool in pediatric hepatology.
Abstract

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