Rotavirus causes hepatic transaminase elevation

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Rotavirus is a primary cause of acute gastroenteritis in children.
• While gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea are common, rotavirus may also affect organs outside the GI tract.
• Evidence suggests rotavirus infection can lead to liver injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence of elevated hepatic transaminases in children diagnosed with rotavirus gastroenteritis.
• To determine the frequency and pattern of liver enzyme abnormalities in pediatric rotavirus cases.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from children with rotavirus gastroenteritis (identified by stool antigen testing) were analyzed for liver function tests.
• Tests included alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and CPK.
• Patient charts were reviewed to exclude other causes of liver injury.

Main Results:

• Of 75 patients with available serum, 15 (20%) showed elevated ALT and AST.
• One patient exhibited elevations in ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin.
• A significant proportion (71%) had AST elevation alone, and 4% had AST and alkaline phosphatase elevation.

Conclusions:

• Rotavirus gastroenteritis commonly leads to elevated liver transaminases in children.
• These findings highlight the potential for extraintestinal manifestations, specifically liver enzyme abnormalities, during rotavirus infection.
• Routine monitoring of liver enzymes may be considered in pediatric rotavirus cases.