Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
05:56
Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
Published on: August 29, 2025
Consider muscle disease in children with elevated transaminase
Melissa A Wright1, Michele L Yang, Julie A Parsons
1Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Section, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM
|July 10, 2012
Summary
Elevated liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) can indicate muscle disease in children. Early screening for muscular dystrophy is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
Background:
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are commonly used to assess liver health.
- These enzymes are also highly concentrated in muscle tissue.
Observation:
- Elevated ALT and AST levels in children can be an early indicator of underlying muscle diseases, like muscular dystrophy.
- This elevation is often most pronounced before or during the subtle onset of muscle symptoms.
Findings:
- The study identified 12 pediatric patients with muscle disease who initially presented with incidentally elevated ALT/AST levels.
- These enzyme elevations were the presenting sign of muscle disease in many of these children.
Implications:
- Incidental elevations in ALT/AST in children may prompt a missed diagnosis of muscle disease, leading to delayed treatment.
- A rapid screening protocol for elevated ALT/AST could expedite the diagnosis of muscular dystrophies, improving patient outcomes.
- This approach may reduce unnecessary liver disease investigations and associated costs.
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