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Published on: January 28, 2019
Aminotransferase elevations in rotavirus positive and negative acute gastroenteritis and its relation with disease
Ishak Işik1, Yavuz Tokgöz2, Barış Erdur3
1Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
Insights
Children with rotavirus gastroenteritis have higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) liver enzyme levels. Rotavirus infection and gastroenteritis severity are independent risk factors for elevated ALT in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Viral Infections
- Hepatology
Background:
- Gastroenteritis is a common pediatric illness.
- Elevated liver enzymes can occur during gastroenteritis.
- The role of rotavirus in liver enzyme elevation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in children with rotavirus-positive versus rotavirus-negative gastroenteritis.
- To assess the average time to normalization of liver enzymes in these groups.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study enrolled 298 patients with rotavirus-positive gastroenteritis and 321 patients with rotavirus-negative gastroenteritis.
- Liver enzyme levels (AST and ALT) were measured.
- Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for enzyme elevation.
Main Results:
- Patients with rotavirus gastroenteritis exhibited significantly higher mean AST and ALT levels compared to those without rotavirus.
- Rotavirus positivity was identified as a significant independent predictor for both AST and ALT elevation.
- Gastroenteritis severity was another significant independent factor for elevated ALT levels. Liver enzyme normalization times were similar across both groups.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus infection is an independent risk factor for elevated ALT levels in children with gastroenteritis.
- Gastroenteritis severity also independently contributes to elevated ALT levels in pediatric patients.
- Liver enzyme elevation in pediatric gastroenteritis is multifactorial, with rotavirus playing a significant role.
Background:
The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of elevated alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in children with rotavirus positive and negative gastroenteritis as well as the average time to normalization of liver enzymes.
Methods:
Into the study 298 patients with rotavirus positive and 321 patients with rotavirus negative gastroenteritis were enrolled.
Results:
Mean AST (56.9±2.1 and 40.2±0.9 U/L, respectively, P=0.000) and ALT (33.1±1.7 and 22.4±0.8 U/L, respectively, P=0.000) levels were significantly higher in the rotavirus positive than rotavirus negative patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that rotavirus positivity was significant independent factor for both AST and ALT elevation. Severity of gastroenteritis was another significant independent factor for ALT elevation. The average transaminase normalization time for AST and ALT levels were similar both rotavirus positive and negative groups.
Conclusions:
Rotavirus positivity and severity of gastroenteritis were independent risk factors for elevated ALT levels in children with gastroenteritis.
