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Distribution of Diseases Causing Liver Function Test Abnormality in Children and Natural Recovery Time of the

Mirinae Jang1, Min Su Oh1, Se Cheol Oh1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.

Journal of Korean Medical Science
|October 7, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Abnormal liver function in children is often caused by infections, particularly viral respiratory infections. Recovery times vary by cause, with viral respiratory disease resolving in a median of 13 days.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) are common in pediatric patients.
  • Limited data exists on the etiological distribution and natural recovery timelines for pediatric abnormal LFTs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causes of abnormal liver function in children.
  • To determine the natural recovery time for abnormal liver function based on etiology.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 559 children with abnormal LFTs.
  • Classification of etiologies into distinct groups.
  • Analysis of median recovery times for each etiological group.

Main Results:

  • Infections were the most common cause (57.8%), with viral respiratory tract infections being the most frequent (19.8%).
  • Other significant etiologies included rheumatologic/autoimmune diseases (11.8%) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (10.2%).
  • Median recovery times varied: nonspecific hepatitis (27 days), viral respiratory disease (13 days), viral gastroenteritis (16 days), viral febrile illness (42 days), and Kawasaki disease (7 days).

Conclusions:

  • Infections, especially viral respiratory infections, are primary drivers of abnormal LFTs in children.
  • Understanding these etiological patterns and recovery durations aids clinical management and parental counseling.

Keywords:
ChildrenLiver Function TestRecovery

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