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Generation of a Rat Model of Acute Liver Failure by Combining 70% Partial Hepatectomy and Acetaminophen
Published on: November 27, 2019
Distinct age-dependent phenotypes of abnormal liver function tests derived from national Emergency Department data.
Dong-Uk Kim1,2, Shinjie Choi1,2, Yeji Kim1,2
1Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
|May 21, 2026
Summary
Abnormal liver function tests in emergency departments show distinct age-based patterns. Pediatric cases link to respiratory viruses, while adults present with enteric pathogens and metabolic conditions, suggesting age-specific diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) are common in emergency departments (EDs).
- Limited understanding of age-specific clinical presentations and pathogen links for abnormal LFTs.
- Need for systematic characterization of pediatric versus adult LFT abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinct clinical presentations of abnormal LFTs in pediatric and adult ED visits.
- To determine pathogen-specific associations with abnormal LFTs across different age groups.
- To analyze age-dependent patterns in abnormal LFT cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 26,874 ED visits for abnormal LFTs (2019-2023).
- Stratification of patients into pediatric (0-18 years) and adult (19-64 years) groups.
- Characterization of clinical presentations, diagnoses, pathogen correlations, and comorbidities.
Main Results:
- Pediatric visits (11.7%) showed fever-predominant profiles and links to respiratory viruses (rhinovirus, adenovirus).
- Adult visits (88.3%) revealed associations with enteric pathogens (astrovirus, sapovirus, E. coli) and gastrointestinal issues.
- Adults had clusters of metabolic comorbidities (dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes); adult ED visits increased during COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal LFTs in EDs exhibit age-dependent phenotypes and pathogen associations.
- Pediatric cases are linked to acute respiratory viral infections.
- Adult cases show novel enteric pathogen links, gastrointestinal disorders, and metabolic comorbidities, supporting age-stratified diagnostics.
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