Persistent hypertransaminasemia in asymptomatic children: A stepwise approach

Measurement practices of alanine aminotransferase in children: Temporal changes and etiology for increased values

Data on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) measurement practices and diagnoses associated with increased values are limited. We evaluated these issues by collecting ALT measurements from 1- to 16-year-old patients investigated in 1992-2018 in a tertiary center. Diagnoses were gathered in 2008-2018. Altogether 145,092 measurements from 28,118 children were taken 42% undergoing repeated testing. Testing increased from 21/1000 to 81/1000 children and the prevalence of elevated values fluctuated between 18% and 26%. An increase was seen especially in emergency care and departments of rheumatology, gastroenterology, hemato-oncology, and psychiatry. Common acute causes associated with elevated ALT were infections (45%), hemato-oncologic conditions (17%), and external reasons (13%), whereas autoimmune diseases (28%), psychiatric conditions (14%), and metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (10%) were common chronic causes. In conclusion, ALT testing increased 3.9-fold while the proportion of increased values remained stable, indicating that increased testing was justified. However, in some departments the testing efficiency was low.

Gastrointestinal involvement in STEC-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome: 10 years in a pediatric center

BACKGROUND

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract represents one of the main targets of typical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children. In this observational study, we tried to establish (1) the main features of GI complications during STEC-HUS and (2) the relationship between Escherichia coli serotypes and Shiga toxin (Stx) variants with hepatopancreatic involvement.

METHODS

A total of 79 STEC-HUS patients were admitted to our pediatric nephrology department between January 2012 and June 2021. Evidence of intestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic involvements was reported for each patient, alongside demographic, clinical, and laboratory features. Frequency of gastrointestinal complications across groups of patients infected by specific E. coli serotypes and Stx gene variants was evaluated.

RESULTS

Six patients developed a bowel complication: two developed rectal prolapse, and four developed bowel perforation which resulted in death for three of them and in bowel stenosis in one patient. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed in 13 patients. An isolated increase in pancreatic enzymes and/or liver transaminases was observed in 41 and 15 patients, respectively. Biliary sludge was detected in three, cholelithiasis in one. Forty-seven patients developed direct hyperbilirubinemia. Neither E. coli serotypes nor Shiga toxin variants correlated with hepatic or pancreatic involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

During STEC-HUS, GI complications are common, ranging from self-limited elevation of laboratory markers to bowel perforation, a severe complication with a relevant impact on morbidity and mortality. Hepatopancreatic involvement is frequent, but usually short-lasting and self-limiting.

Severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in a large cohort of children

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the proportion, clinical features, and outcomes of previously healthy children presenting to a large Canadian quaternary pediatric center with severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology.

METHODS

All patients with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 500 U/L or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 500 U/L between June 1, 2018, and May 31, 2022, at The Hospital for Sick Children, were identified. Subjects with only AST > 500 U/L were excluded. Clinical characteristics, investigations, and outcomes for patients without clear etiology for ALT > 500 U/L (severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology) for our study period and from October 1 to May 31 of each year 2018-2021 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 977 patients with ALT/AST> 500 U/L, 720 had only ALT > 500 U/L. We excluded age below 6 months (n = 99) or above 16 years (n = 66), known pre-existing liver conditions (n = 66), and ALT > 500 U/L in already admitted patients (n = 151). Among the remaining 338 children with ALT > 500 U/L at presentation, an etiology was identified in 303 subjects. 33 (9.8%) children [median age 6.1 y (range 0.5-15.5); 61% male] were confirmed as severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology. Twenty patients (60.6%) were tested for blood adenovirus by PCR, and 1 (5%) was positive (serotype B7). Liver tissue specimens from 18 patients revealed no evidence of viral inclusions or adenovirus. Twelve (36.3%) presented with pediatric acute liver failure, with 8 (24.2%) requiring liver transplantation. There were no deaths. Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia occurred in 5 (15%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Of children presenting with severe acute hepatitis to a quaternary children's hospital over a 48-month period, 9.8% had unknown etiology with no change over time. Liver transplantation remains an important treatment strategy for those presenting with pediatric acute liver failure phenotype. The frequency of cases associated with human adenovirus infection was noncontributory.

Incidental hypertransaminasemia in children-a stepwise approach in primary care

Children with elevated liver enzymes are occasionally discovered through laboratory work-up from different clinical scenarios. Although the majority will have transient and/or benign conditions, a subgroup will have underlying liver disorders. The differential diagnosis is broad and therefore, a systematic approach is of utmost importance. In this article, we reviewed the most recent and relevant literature to provide a comprehensive overview of the main disease processes that cause hypertransaminasemia in children. Ultimately, we propose a practical stepwise approach to guide primary care physicians in the evaluation of abnormal liver enzymes in asymptomatic children. The first step is to obtain a complete history along with a thorough physical examination to exclude red flags, which should dictate urgent consultation with a paediatric gastroenterologist or hepatologist.  Conclusion: Hypertransaminasemia is a challenging scenario in the primary care setting. The aetiology can be broad, ranging from hepatic and extrahepatic to transient versus chronic liver disease. Timely referral to a specialised centre is of paramount importance for conducting targeted research and to not miss the chance of identifying a progressive, but still asymptomatic, treatable liver disease. What is Known: • Elevated liver enzyme is a challenging scenario in the primary care setting. • There are few studies guiding the evaluation of asymptomatic hypertransaminasemia in the paediatric population and a standardised approach is lacking. What is New: • We propose a practical stepwise approach to guide primary care physicians in the evaluation of abnormal liver enzymes.

Beneficial effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with acyl-CoA oxidase 2 (ACOX2) deficiency-associated hypertransaminasemia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A variant (p.Arg225Trp) of peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase 2 (ACOX2), involved in bile acid (BA) side-chain shortening, has been associated with unexplained persistent hypertransaminasemia and accumulation of C27-BAs, mainly 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholestanoic acid (THCA). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of ACOX2 deficiency-associated hypertransaminasemia (ADAH), its response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), elucidate its pathophysiological mechanism and identify other inborn errors that could cause this alteration.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Among 33 patients with unexplained hypertransaminasemia from 11 hospitals and 13 of their relatives, seven individuals with abnormally high C27-BA levels (>50% of total BAs) were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The p.Arg225Trp variant was found in homozygosity (exon amplification/sequencing) in two patients and three family members. Two additional nonrelated patients were heterozygous carriers of different alleles: c.673C>T (p.Arg225Trp) and c.456_459del (p.Thr154fs). In patients with ADAH, impaired liver expression of ACOX2, but not ACOX3, was found (immunohistochemistry). Treatment with UDCA normalized aminotransferase levels. Incubation of HuH-7 hepatoma cells with THCA, which was efficiently taken up, but not through BA transporters, increased reactive oxygen species production (flow cytometry), endoplasmic reticulum stress biomarkers (GRP78, CHOP, and XBP1-S/XBP1-U ratio), and BAXα expression (reverse transcription followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot), whereas cell viability was decreased (tetrazolium salt-based cell viability test). THCA-induced cell toxicity was higher than that of major C24-BAs and was not prevented by UDCA. Fourteen predicted ACOX2 variants were generated (site-directed mutagenesis) and expressed in HuH-7 cells. Functional tests to determine their ability to metabolize THCA identified six with the potential to cause ADAH.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysfunctional ACOX2 has been found in several patients with unexplained hypertransaminasemia. This condition can be accurately identified by a noninvasive diagnostic strategy based on plasma BA profiling and ACOX2 sequencing. Moreover, UDCA treatment can efficiently attenuate liver damage in these patients.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children with Obesity: Narrative Review and Research Gaps

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading hepatic disease in children, ranging from steatosis to steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Age, sex, hormonal levels, pubertal stages, genetic risk- and epigenetic factors are among the many influencing factors. Appearing predominantly in children with obesity, but not exclusively, it is the liver's manifestation of the metabolic syndrome but can also exist as an isolated entity.

SUMMARY

Pediatric NAFLD differs from the adult phenotype. This narrative review on NAFLD in children with obesity provides an overview of the current knowledge on risk factors, screening, and diagnostic methods, as well state-of-the-art treatment. The recent discussion on the proposition of a new nomenclature - Metabolic [Dysfunction-] Associated Liver Disease - is featured, and current gaps of knowledge are discussed.

KEY MESSAGES

Currently, there is no international consensus on screening and monitoring of pediatric NAFLD. With lifestyle interventions being the cornerstone of treatment, no registered pharmacological treatment for pediatric NAFLD is available. Development and validation of additional noninvasive biomarkers, scores and imaging tools suitable to subcategorize, screen and monitor pediatric patients are necessary. With a variety of upcoming and promising agents, clear recommendations for pediatric nonalcoholic steatohepatitis trials are urgently needed.

Liver Involvement in Acute Respiratory Infections in Children and Adolescents - Results of a Non-interventional Study

BACKGROUND

In children and adults with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI), elevations of serum liver enzyme activities are frequently observed in clinical practice. However, epidemiological data particularly in the pediatric population are very limited. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of hepatic involvement, to identify the viruses and to analyze risk factors in children and adolescents with ARTI in a real-world setting.

METHODS

We report on a prospective, multicenter, non-interventional study with 1,010 consecutive patients aged 1-17 years with ARTI who consulted a physician within 5 days after onset of symptoms. Laboratory blood tests and PCR virus detection in nasopharyngeal lavage were performed at first presentation and after 3-7 days. Patients with elevated activities of serum liver enzymes (ASAT, ALAT, and γ-GT) were determined in local laboratories and values were normalized by dividing by the individual upper limit of the normal range (ULN). The resulting index (<1 means below ULN, >1 means above ULN) allowed to compare results from laboratories with different reference ranges.

RESULTS

Laboratory test results of 987 patients were available at first visit. 11.1% (95% CI: 9.2-13.3%) exhibited an elevation of ASAT, ALAT, and/or γ-GT activities. Virus DNA or RNA was identified in nasopharyngeal lavages of 63% of the patients. 12.2% of patients with positive PCR and 9.7% of those with negative PCR (p = 0.25) had elevated serum liver enzyme activities. The highest rates were observed in patients with a positive result for influenza B virus (24.4%) followed by human metapneumovirus (14.6%), and human coronavirus (others than SARS-CoV-2) (13.6%). The rate of children and adolescents with ARTI and elevation of serum liver enzyme activities correlated with the virus species and with overweight of the patients but did not differ in patients with or without previous medication intake.

CONCLUSION

Elevated enzyme activities are present in about 10% of children and adolescents with ARTI. In our cohort, these elevations were mild to moderate; probably resulting from an inflammation process with hepatic involvement.

A Multicenter Study of Real-world Practice for Management of Abnormal Liver Function Tests in Children with Acute Infectious Diseases

BACKGROUND

Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) are commonly seen in pediatric patients with acute infectious diseases. Few studies and no definite clinical guidelines for these conditions are available. The present study aimed to elucidate the causes and factors associated with prolongation of liver enzyme elevation. We also investigated actual real-world practices in Korea.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on all patients younger than 18 years, who visited six tertiary teaching hospitals around Korea in 2018 for acute infectious diseases and showed alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels above 60 IU/L without other specific conditions that could cause ALT elevation. We categorized the infections that cause LFT elevation into six groups: respiratory infection, gastrointestinal infection, urinary tract infection, other febrile disease, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and cytomegalovirus infection. We collected data on the medical specialty of the attending physician who followed up the subject, follow-up duration, percentage of follow-up loss, and their investigation.

RESULTS

A total of 613 patients were enrolled in this study, half of whom (50.7%) were younger than 12 months. The mean initial aspartate aminotransferase and ALT values were 171.2 ± 274.1 and 194.9 ± 316.1 IU/L (range 23-2,881, 60-2,949 IU/L), respectively; however, other LFTs were within the normal range. Respiratory infection was the most common diagnosis (45.0%), and rhinovirus was the most commonly identified pathogen (9.8%). The follow-up rate was higher with pediatric gastroenterologists (90.5%) and non-gastroenterology pediatricians (76.4%) than with pediatric residents and emergency doctors. Older age was related to better ALT recovery (odds ratio [OR] of age for month = 1.003; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001-1.004; P = 0.004), while the number of infection episodes (OR = 0.626; 95% CI, 0.505-0.777; P < 0.001) was associated with poor ALT recovery. Abdominal sonography was the most commonly used diagnostic tool (36.9%), followed by the hepatotropic virus workup. The modalities of hepatitis workup were significantly differently applied by physicians based on their specialties and institutions.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal liver function test after a systemic infection was common in respiratory infection and under the age of 1 year. Age, number of infections, and initial results of LFTs were related to ALT recovery time. Inter-physician, inter-institution, and inter-specialty variances were observed in real-world practice.

Hypertransaminasemia and liver fibrosis associated with haptoglobin retention and anhaptoglobinemia in a paediatric patient

Cryptogenic elevation of transaminases in childhood can in a few instances be linked to rare hereditary causes. In this paper, a 7-year old girl is reported who was diagnosed with elevated transaminases of unknown origin since infancy. A liver biopsy showed bridging fibrosis, pale eosinophilic intracytoplasmic hepatocellular inclusions and enlarged endoplasmic reticulum cisternae in the hepatocytes. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous in-frame deletion of 3 base pairs in the haptoglobin gene. The patient is anhaptoglobinemic measured by standard laboratory turbidometry, which was confirmed by Western Blotting and thereby shown to affect both protein chains of haptoglobin. A polyclonal antibody revealed haptoglobin retention in hepatocytes suggesting a defect in haptoglobin secretion. A novel, previously unknown haptoglobin storage disease is suspected to be the reason for the elevated liver enzymes and tissue abnormalities in this patient. The pathophysiology appears to be similar to endoplasmic reticulum storage diseases like alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency.

Pediatric vs. adult NAFLD to MAFLD transition: a welcome but tangled path

The term non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) appears unfitting both in adults and in children. As obesity and metabolic syndrome play a relevant pathogenic role, an international group of adults’ liver disease experts has proposed to rename this condition metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). While this new more appropriate and useful definition has mostly been met with good reactions in adults, it may present a tangled path in pediatrics. Here we further stress the recommendations of the North American and the European Societies for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition that a hyperechogenic liver in a child affected by obesity or overweight with chronically elevated liver enzymes should not be assumed to have NAFLD only. Especially in those patients who are not in the classic age range or who have particularly severe laboratory anomalies, other genetic, metabolic (inborn errors of metabolism, IEM), endocrine, intestinal and hepatic pediatric-onset conditions, should in fact be excluded, particularly when response to a weight loss trial is not available. The term pediatric fatty liver disease (PeFLD) with three subtypes (1. contextual diagnosis of an IEM; 2. Metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver; 3. unknown cause of fatty liver) has recently been proposed aiming to separate true MAFLD from IEM and/or the other above mentioned conditions, which may be rare when considered individually but represent a large group when considered collectively. Although the cost-effectiveness ratio of this attitude is still indeterminate, it is likely that the advantage of the early identification of a specifically treatable pediatric-onset liver disease associated to/mimicking MAFLD would be rewarding.

Atypically Protracted Course of Liver Involvement in Kawasaki Disease. Case Report and Literature Review

Hypertransaminasemia in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) is reported to be transient. Here, we describe a child with an atypically protracted course of liver tests abnormalities and review the inherent literature. The patient was hospitalized at age 7-months for isolated hypertransaminasemia detected during a classical KD diagnosed 3 months before, and persistent since then. KD clinical evolution had been favorable, with rapid response to acetylsalicylic acid and intravenous immunoglobulins. Liver enzymes however remained persistently elevated with a fluctuating pattern (ALT > AST levels; peak of AST 186 IU/L and ALT 240 IU/L). During follow-up, the main causes of liver dysfunction had to be excluded through appropriate and extensive laboratory investigations. Transaminases values become steadily normal only 7 months after the acute presentation of KD. Conclusions: Our report shows that an atypically protracted courses of KD-related hypertransaminasemia above the previously reported temporal limits should be taken into account during the stepwise diagnostic approach to the patient's liver dysfunction. Insidious acetylsalycilic acid-hepatotoxicity warrants consideration in the differential diagnosis.

Prevalence of increased transaminases and its association with sex, age, and metabolic parameters in children and adolescents with obesity - a nationwide cross-sectional cohort study

Background

Childhood obesity increases the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease marked by elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). This study investigated the prevalence of increased ALT in children and adolescents with obesity, and its associations with sex, age, degree of obesity, and metabolic parameters.

Methods

Individuals between 5 and 17.99 years of age enrolled in the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register (BORIS) before March 2020 were included. Mildly increased ALT was defined by ALT 27–51 U/L (males) and 23–43 U/L (females), while markedly increased ALT by levels above. Multiple logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Among 11,776 individuals (age 11.0 ± 3.3 years, 53.5% males), the prevalence of mildly and markedly increased ALT were 37.9 and 10.6%, respectively. A sex-age interaction was found, where increasing age strengthened the odds of markedly increased ALT in males (OR, 99% CI: 1.34, 1.29–1.4 for each year) while the corresponding pattern in females with was minuscule (1.09, 1.02–1.10). Compared to class I obesity, class II and III obesity had greater odds ratios for mildly increased ALT (class II obesity OR, 99% CI: 1.51, 1.35–1.70; class III obesity OR, 99% CI: 2.17, 1.66–2.61) and for markedly increased ALT (class II obesity OR, 99% CI: 1.82, 1.51–2.20; class III obesity OR, 99% CI 3.38, 2.71–4.23). Dyslipidemia was associated with both mildly and markedly increased ALT, all p < 0.001. Prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was 19.1% in normal ALT group, 20.4% in mildly increased ALT group, and 29.0% in markedly increased ALT group.

Conclusions

The risk of markedly increased ALT increased exponentially with age among boys, but not among girls. Higher degree of obesity was observed in individuals with mildly and markedly increased ALT. Further, metabolic derangements were more prevalent among individuals with mildly and markedly increased ALT.

Evaluation of liver function tests in the paediatric patient

INTRODUCTION

Although changes in liver function tests can be non-specific in numerous clinical conditions, they can be the first sign of a potentially serious disease in an asymptomatic patient.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective cohort study, performed by reviewing the records of children of a reference hospital central laboratory with alanine aminotransferase enzyme (ALT) elevation during a 6-month aleatory period.

RESULTS

572 blood tests with serum ALT elevation corresponding to 403 patients have been assessed during the period studied. 98 patients were excluded for presenting abnormal liver test before the study period of comorbidity that could produce ALT elevation. The remaining 305 patients, 22.6% were diagnosed with a medical condition during the first blood test that explained the ALT elevation, although only 33.3% of them were followed up until verifying their normalisation. Final study sample consists of 236 patients with abnormal liver test without apparent liver disease. Adequate follow-up was found only in 29% of them. From this group, 9 patients (13%) were diagnosed with liver disease. The rest of the samples were not properly monitored. In patients with higher serum ALT levels, follow-up was early and more appropriate.

CONCLUSIONS

In our area, most children without apparent liver disease are no properly monitored. Therefore, an opportunity to diagnosis and treat a potential liver disease was lost in a great number of children. All children with unexplained hypertransaminasaemia must be studied.

Celiac disease: Understandings in diagnostic, nutritional, and medicinal aspects

Celiac disease (CD) is characterized by clinical polymorphism, with classic, asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic, and extra-intestinal forms, which may lead to diagnostic delay and exposure to serious complications. CD is a multidisciplinary health concern involving general medicine, pediatric, and adult gastroenterology, among other disciplines. Immunology and pathology laboratories have a fundamental role in diagnosing and monitoring CD. The diagnosis consists of serological testing based on IgA anti-transglutaminase (TG2) antibodies combined with IgA quantification to rule out IgA deficiency, a potential misleading factor of CD diagnosis. Positive TG2 serology should be corroborated by anti-endomysium antibody testing before considering an intestinal biopsy. Owing to multiple differential diagnoses, celiac disease cannot be confirmed based on serological positivity alone, nor on isolated villous atrophy. In children with classical signs or even when asymptomatic, with high levels of CD-linked markers and positive HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 molecules, the current trend is to confirm the diagnosis on basis of the non-systematic use of the biopsy, which remains obligatory in adults. The main challenge in managing CD is the implementation and compliance with a gluten-free diet (GFD). This explains the key role of the dietitian and the active participation of patients and their families throughout the disease-management process. The presence of the gluten in several forms of medicine requires the sensitization of physicians when prescribing, and particularly when dispensing gluten-containing formulations by pharmacists. This underlines the importance of the contribution of the pharmacist in the care of patients with CD within the framework of close collaboration with physicians and nutritionists.

Hepatic Presentation of Late-Onset Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD): Case Report and Systematic Review

Diagnosis of pediatric steatohepatitis is a challenging issue due to a vast number of established and novel causes. Here, we report a child with Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD) presenting with an underrated muscle weakness, exercise intolerance and an atypically severe steatotic liver involvement. A systematic literature review of liver involvement in MADD was performed as well. Our patient is a 11-year-old otherwise healthy, non-obese, male child admitted for some weakness/asthenia, vomiting and recurrent severe hypertransaminasemia (aspartate and alanine aminotransferases up to ×20 times upper limit of normal). Hepatic ultrasound showed a bright liver. MRI detected mild lipid storage of thighs muscles. A liver biopsy showed a micro-macrovacuolar steatohepatitis with minimal fibrosis. Main causes of hypertransaminasemia were ruled out. Serum aminoacids (increased proline), acylcarnitines (increased C4-C18) and a large excretion of urinary glutaric acid, ethylmalonic, butyric, isobutyric, 2-methyl-butyric and isovaleric acids suggested a diagnosis of MADD. Serum acylcarnitines and urinary organic acids fluctuated overtime paralleling serum transaminases during periods of illness/catabolic stress, confirming their recurrent nature. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis [homozygous c.1658A > G (p.Tyr553Cys) in exon 12 of the ETFDH gene]. Lipid-restricted diet and riboflavin treatment rapidly ameliorated symptoms, hepatic ultrasonography/enzymes, and metabolic profiles. Literature review (37 retrieved eligible studies, 283 patients) showed that liver is an extramuscular organ rarely involved in late-onset MADD (70 patients), and that amongst 45 patients who had fatty liver only nine had severe presentation. Conclusion: MADD is a disorder with a clinically heterogeneous phenotype. Our study suggests that MADD warrants consideration in the work-up of obesity-unrelated severe steatohepatitis.

Inflammation initiates a vicious cycle between obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Low‐level of chronic inflammation activation is characteristic of obesity. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely linked to obesity and is an emerging health problem, it originates from abnormal accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, and sometimes causes inflammatory reactions that could contribute to cirrhosis and liver cancer, thus its pathogenesis needs to be clarified for more treatment options. Once NAFLD is established, it contributes to systemic inflammation, the low‐grade inflammation is continuously maintained during NAFLD causing impaired resolution of inflammation in obesity, which subsequently exacerbates its severity. This study focuses on the effects of obesity‐induced inflammations, which are the underlying causes of the disease progression and development of more severe inflammatory and fibrotic stages. Understanding the relationship between obesity and NAFLD could help in establishing attractive therapeutic targets or diagnostic markers in obesity‐induced inflammation response and provides new approaches for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD in obesity.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease later diagnosed as myotonic dystrophy

BACKGROUND

Myotonic dystrophy (MD) is sometimes accompanied by metabolic/endocrine disorders, including dyslipidemia, central obesity, and hypogonadism. Due to considerable individual differences in the severity and progression of myopathy, MD patients with minimal-to-mild muscle symptoms might be followed as having other diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

CASE SUMMARY

A 40-year-old non-obese man without a history of regular ethanol consumption was referred to our hospital due to persistent liver dysfunction and hyperlipidemia. His body mass index was 23.4 kg/m². Liver histology demonstrated macrovesicular steatosis, ballooned hepatocytes with eosinophilic inclusion bodies, and perisinusoidal fibrosis, leading to the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although he had no discernable muscle pain or weakness, persistently high serum creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin levels as well as the presence of frontal baldness, a hatched face, history of cataract surgery, and grip myotonia indicated the possibility of MD. Southern blotting of the patient’s DNA revealed the presence of CTG repeats, confirming the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

When gastroenterologists encounter NAFLD/NASH patients, serum CK should be verified. If hyperCKemia, frontal baldness, a hatched face, history of cataract surgery, and grip myotonia are noted, the possibility of MD may be considered.

The Effect of Overweight and Obesity on Liver Biochemical Markers in Children and Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Elevated plasma concentrations of liver enzymes are routinely used as markers of liver injury in adults and children. Currently, the age- and sex-specific effects of adiposity on pediatric liver enzyme concentrations are unclear.

METHODS

We included participants from 2 cohorts of Danish children and adolescents: 1858 from a population-based cohort and 2155 with overweight or obesity, aged from 6 to 18 years. Age- and sex-specific percentile curves were calculated for fasting plasma concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in both cohorts. Hepatic fat content was assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 458 participants.

RESULTS

Concentrations of ALT, AST, LDH, and ALP decreased with age in both girls and boys, while GGT and bilirubin were comparable across age groups in girls and increased slightly with age in boys. Children and adolescents with overweight or obesity exhibited higher concentrations of ALT in all age groups. Concentrations of ALT, and to a lesser degree GGT, increased with age in boys with overweight or obesity. Optimal ALT cut-points for diagnosing hepatic steatosis (liver fat content > 5%) was 24.5 U/L for girls (sensitivity: 55.6%, specificity: 84.0%), and 34.5 U/L for boys (sensitivity: 83.7%, specificity: 68.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric normal values of liver enzymes vary with both age and sex. Overweight and obesity is associated with elevated biochemical markers of liver damage. These findings emphasize the need for prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab XX: 0-0, 2019).

Metabolomic Salivary Signature of Pediatric Obesity Related Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome

Pediatric obesity-related metabolic syndrome (MetS) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are increasingly frequent conditions with a still-elusive diagnosis and low-efficacy treatment and monitoring options. In this study, we investigated the salivary metabolomic signature, which has been uncharacterized to date. In this pilot-nested case-control study over a transversal design, 41 subjects (23 obese patients and 18 normal weight (NW) healthy controls), characterized based on medical history, clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory data, were recruited. Liver involvement, defined according to ultrasonographic liver brightness, allowed for the allocation of the patients into four groups: obese with hepatic steatosis ([St+], n = 15) and without hepatic steatosis ([St–], n = 8), and with (n = 10) and without (n = 13) MetS. A partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model was devised to classify the patients’ classes based on their salivary metabolomic signature. Pediatric obesity and its related liver disease and metabolic syndrome appear to have distinct salivary metabolomic signatures. The difference is notable in metabolites involved in energy, amino and organic acid metabolism, as well as in intestinal bacteria metabolism, possibly reflecting diet, fatty acid synthase pathways, and the strict interaction between microbiota and intestinal mucins. This information expands the current understanding of NAFLD pathogenesis, potentially translating into better targeted monitoring and/or treatment strategies in the future.

Pediatric Fatty Liver and Obesity: Not Always Justa Matter of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the most common cause of pediatric liver disease due to overweight/obesity large-scale epidemics. In clinical practice, diagnosis is usually based on clinical features, blood tests, and liver imaging. Here, we underline the need to make a correct differential diagnosis for a number of genetic, metabolic, gastrointestinal, nutritional, endocrine, muscular, and systemic disorders, and for iatrogenic/viral/autoimmune hepatitis as well. This is all the more important for patients who are not in the NAFLD classical age range and for those for whom a satisfactory response of liver test abnormalities to weight loss after dietary counseling and physical activity measures cannot be obtained or verified due to poor compliance. A correct diagnosis may be life-saving, as some of these conditions which appear similar to NAFLD have a specific therapy. In this study, the characteristics of the main conditions which require consideration are summarized, and a practical diagnostic algorithm is discussed.

New pediatric percentiles of liver enzyme serum levels (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltransferase): Effects of age, sex, body mass index, and pubertal stage

The present study aims to clarify the effects of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and puberty on transaminase serum levels in children and adolescents and to provide new age- and sex-related percentiles for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Venous blood and anthropometric data were collected from 4,126 cases. Excluded were cases of participants with potential hepatotoxic medication, with evidence of potential illness at the time of blood sampling and non-normal BMI (BMI <10th or >90th). The resulting data (N = 3,131 cases) were used for the calculations of ALT, AST, and GGT percentiles. Age- and sex-related reference intervals were established by using an LMS method of Cole-type method. Serum levels of transaminases follow age-specific patterns and relate to the onset of puberty. This observation is more pronounced in girls than in boys. ALT percentiles showed similar-shaped patterns in both sexes. Multivariate regression confirmed significant effects of puberty and BMI-SDS (β = 2.21) on ALT. Surprisingly, AST serum levels were negatively influenced by age (β = -1.42) and BMI-SDS (β = -0.15). GGT percentiles revealed significant sex-specific differences, correlated positively with age (β = 0.37) and showed significant association with BMI-SDS (β = 1.16).

CONCLUSION

Current reference values of ALT, AST, and GGT serum levels were calculated for children between 11 months and 16.0 years, using modern analytical and statistical methods. This study extends the current knowledge about transaminases by revealing influences of age, sex, BMI, and puberty on serum concentrations of all three parameters and has for these parameters one of the largest sample sizes published so far. (Hepatology 2017).

Liver involvement in kidney disease and vice versa

The liver and kidneys are often similarly affected by a single disease. This is the case in metabolic, immunological, toxic, and infectious diseases, and in the different congenital malformation syndromes. Also, an enzymatic defect in an otherwise healthy liver or the consequences of advanced liver disease by itself can cause kidney disease as a secondary phenomenon. In this review, we describe numerous pathogenic mechanisms leading to dysfunction or malformations of the liver and kidneys in children. We encourage multidisciplinary management for optimal care. A combined liver-kidney transplantation is sometimes needed.

Three unreported cases of TMEM199-CDG, a rare genetic liver disease with abnormal glycosylation

Background

TMEM199 deficiency was recently shown in four patients to cause liver disease with steatosis, elevated serum transaminases, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase and abnormal protein glycosylation. There is no information on the long-term outcome in this disorder.

Results

We here present three novel patients with TMEM199-CDG. All three patients carried the same set of mutations (c.13-14delTT (p.Ser4Serfs*30) and c.92G > C (p.Arg31Pro), despite only two were related (siblings). One mutation (c.92G > C) was described previously whereas the other was deemed pathogenic due to its early frameshift. Western Blot analysis confirmed a reduced level of TMEM199 protein in patient fibroblasts and all patients showed a similar glycosylation defect. The patients presented with a very similar clinical and biochemical phenotype to the initial publication, confirming that TMEM199-CDG is a non-encephalopathic liver disorder. Two of the patients were clinically assessed over two decades without deterioration.

Conclusion

A rising number of disorders affecting Golgi homeostasis have been published over the last few years. A hallmark finding is deficiency in protein glycosylation, both in N- and O-linked types. Most of these disorders have signs of both liver and brain involvement. However, the present and the four previously reported patients do not show encephalopathy but a chronic, non-progressive (over decades) liver disease with hypertransaminasemia and steatosis. This information is crucial for the patient/families and clinician at diagnosis, as it distinguishes it from other Golgi homeostasis disorders, in having a much more favorable course.

Nutritional Needs and Support for Children with Chronic Liver Disease

Malnutrition has become a dangerously common problem in children with chronic liver disease, negatively impacting neurocognitive development and growth. Furthermore, many children with chronic liver disease will eventually require liver transplantation. Thus, this association between malnourishment and chronic liver disease in children becomes increasingly alarming as malnutrition is a predictor of poorer outcomes in liver transplantation and is often associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Malnutrition requires aggressive and appropriate management to correct nutritional deficiencies. A comprehensive review of the literature has found that infants with chronic liver disease (CLD) are particularly susceptible to malnutrition given their low reserves. Children with CLD would benefit from early intervention by a multi-disciplinary team, to try to achieve nutritional rehabilitation as well as to optimize outcomes for liver transplant. This review explains the multifactorial nature of malnutrition in children with chronic liver disease, defines the nutritional needs of these children, and discusses ways to optimize their nutritional.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Italian Children with Down Syndrome: Prevalence and Correlation with Obesity-Related Features

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity in a cohort of Italian children with Down syndrome (DS) and to investigate the correlation of both obesity and DS with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

STUDY DESIGN

We enrolled 280 children with DS (age range 5-18 years), who were referred to the DS outpatient clinic of the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome. For all children, we collected the clinical history and measured anthropometric variables. Eighty-four of 280 children with DS were selected to undergo liver ultrasound scanning to evaluate the presence of NAFLD.

RESULTS

Italian children with DS exhibited a prevalence of 19.64% for overweight and 12.14% for obesity. The prevalence of NAFLD in nonobese (45%) and overweight/obese (82%) children with DS is greater than in the European pediatric nonobese (5.7%) or obese population (33%). Moreover, the severity of liver brightness on ultrasound scan correlated positively with body mass index, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and leptin levels and negatively with adiponectin.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that, independently from the obese phenotype, children with DS display a greater risk to develop NAFLD than the general pediatric population.

Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Unusual Combination of Biochemical Abnormalities

A forty-five-day-old female infant presented with prolonged jaundice with clinical features suggestive of congenital hypothyroidism (CHT). On investigations, the infant was noted to have indirect hyperbilirubinemia (13.8 mg/dl) with increased levels of AST (298 IU/dl) and ALT (174 IU/dl) in the serum. The child had low levels of free T₃ (<1 pg/ml) and free T₄ (0.4 ng/dl) secondary to thyroid agenesis detected on radionuclide scan and ultrasonography of the neck and raised levels of TSH (>500 microIU/ml) in the serum. The combination of indirect hyperbilirubinemia and raised levels of hepatic transaminases has not been reported in babies with CHT. Following institution of oral thyroxin therapy, the serum bilirubin levels ameliorated (2.9 mg/dl) considerably by 15 days of therapy and the serum levels of AST (40 IU/dl) and ALT (20 IU/dl) got normalized. The case demonstrates that raised levels of hepatic transaminases can occur in infants with CHT and these can resolve just with thyroxin therapy, obviating the need for extensive investigative laboratory work-up.

Pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Recent solutions, unresolved issues, and future research directions

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children is becoming a major health concern. A “multiple-hit” pathogenetic model has been suggested to explain the progressive liver damage that occurs among children with NAFLD. In addition to the accumulation of fat in the liver, insulin resistance (IR) and oxidative stress due to genetic/epigenetic background, unfavorable lifestyles, gut microbiota and gut-liver axis dysfunction, and perturbations of trace element homeostasis have been shown to be critical for disease progression and the development of more severe inflammatory and fibrotic stages [non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)]. Simple clinical and laboratory parameters, such as age, history, anthropometrical data (BMI and waist circumference percentiles), blood pressure, surrogate clinical markers of IR (acanthosis nigricans), abdominal ultrasounds, and serum transaminases, lipids and glucose/insulin profiles, allow a clinician to identify children with obesity and obesity-related conditions, including NAFLD and cardiovascular and metabolic risks. A liver biopsy (the “imperfect” gold standard) is required for a definitive NAFLD/NASH diagnosis, particularly to exclude other treatable conditions or when advanced liver disease is expected on clinical and laboratory grounds and preferably prior to any controlled trial of pharmacological/surgical treatments. However, a biopsy clearly cannot represent a screening procedure. Advancements in diagnostic serum and imaging tools, especially for the non-invasive differentiation between NAFLD and NASH, have shown promising results, e.g., magnetic resonance elastography. Weight loss and physical activity should be the first option of intervention. Effective pharmacological treatments are still under development; however, drugs targeting IR, oxidative stress, proinflammatory pathways, dyslipidemia, gut microbiota and gut liver axis dysfunction are an option for patients who are unable to comply with the recommended lifestyle changes. When morbid obesity prevails, bariatric surgery should be considered.

The etiology of hypertransaminasemia in Turkish children

The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in children. We analyzed the medical records for children aged 3 months to 18 years who presented to the hospital with ALT >45 IU/L and/or AST >50 IU/L, between 2012 and 2014, for various reasons, including those not related to liver disease. In total, 281 children met the study criteria. This group comprised of 125 (44.5%) females and 156 (55.5%) males. At the presentation, the most common patient complaint was fatigue (53.4%), while 15.7% of the patients reported no symptoms. The most common findings on the physical examination were jaundice and hepatomegaly. In 15% of the cases, the findings were normal. According to the diagnosis, the most common cause of the elevated transaminases were infections (34%), with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection as the leading cause (18.9%). Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) was the cause in 18.1% of the cases and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in 11.1%. The highest transaminase levels were associated with HAV infection, while DILI and NAFLD caused only slightly elevated transaminases. Overall, our results show that the elevated transaminases in children are most often caused by infections, DILI, and NAFLD. In a majority of cases, elevated ALT and AST indicate liver disease, however, they could also be associated with conditions other than liver damage. Additionally, the elevated enzymes can be detected in completely healthy individuals.

Clinical analysis of contributors to the delayed gallbladder opacification following the use of water-soluble contrast medium

OBJECTIVES

Gallbladder opacification (GBO) on computed tomography (CT) imaging may obscure certain pathological or emergent conditions in the gallbladder, such as neoplasms, stones, and hemorrhagic cholecystitis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical contributing factors that could predict the presence of delayed GBO determined by CT.

METHODS

This study retrospectively evaluated 243 consecutive patients who received enhanced CT or intravenous pyelography imaging and then underwent abdominal CT imaging within 5 days. According to the interval between imaging, the patients were divided into group A (1 day), group B (2 or 3 days), and group C (4 or 5 days). Three radiologists evaluated CT images to determine GBO. Fisher's exact test and multivariate backward stepwise elimination logistic regression were performed.

RESULTS

Positive GBO was significantly associated with the interval between imaging studies, contrast type, contrast volume, renal function, and hypertransaminasemia (P<0.05). Multivariate backward stepwise elimination logistic regression analysis of the three groups identified contrast type and hypertransaminasemia as independent predictors of GBO in group B patients (odds ratio [OR], 13.52, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-106.38 and OR, 3.43, 95% CI, 1.31-8.98, respectively; P<0.05). Hypertransaminasemia was the only independent predictor of GBO in group C patients with an OR of 7.2 (95% CI, 1.62-31.73). Hypertransaminasemia was noted in three patients (100%) who initially underwent imaging 5 days prior to GBO.

CONCLUSION

Delayed GBO on CT imaging may be associated with laboratory hypertransaminasemia, particularly in patients receiving contrast medium over a period of ≥4 days. A detailed clinical history, physical examination, and further workup are of paramount importance for investigating the underlying cause behind the hypertransaminasemia.

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome with autoimmune-like liver disease and enteropathy mimicking celiac disease

Liver abnormalities that normalize during infancy as well an enteropathy are reported in Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS). The pathogenesis of both conditions is unknown. We report two SDS cases with autoimmune-like (antismooth muscle and/or antinuclear antibody positivity) liver disease and antigliadin antibody positive inflammatory enteropathy. Hypertransaminasemia did not resolve after immunosuppressive therapy and/or a gluten-free diet. These transient autoimmune phenomena and gut-liver axis perturbations may have played a role in transient SDS hepatopathy and enteropathy. Our report may stimulate other studies to define the relationship between the SDS genetic defect and intestinal permeability as the pathogenic mechanism underlying SDS related liver and intestinal inflammation.

Mutational characterization of ATP7B gene in 103 Wilson's disease patients from Southern China: identification of three novel mutations

Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive inheritance disorder of copper metabolism due to mutations in the ATP7B gene. The distribution of ATP7B gene mutations is diverse in different population. This study aimed to examine the genotypes of the ATP7B mutant alleles in WD patients from Southern China. Genomic DNA was extracted from 103 WD patients and 60 healthy patients. Mutations were screened and detected by DNA sequencing. A total of 51 different ATP7B mutations were identified in WD patients, including six homozygous, 51 compound heterozygous, and 39 single heterozygotes. Three mutations were found to be novel, including one missense mutation (c.2549C>T) and two frameshift mutations (c.3851_3876del and c.1057delC). The most frequent mutations are Arg778Leu (18.93%), Ile1148Thr (8.74%), and Pro992Leu (4.37%). Different from the published results of early studies, Ile1148Thr was found to be the second common mutation in our cohort. The highest mutation detection rate was on exon 8 (43.69%), followed by exon 16 (24.27%), and exon 12 (17.48%). The total mutation detection rate on exon 8, 12, and 16 was 85.44%. No ATP7B gene mutation was found in healthy patients. In conclusion, we identified three novel mutations and Ile1148Thr as another hotspot mutation in WD patients from Southern China. Most of the mutations can be detected by screening exon 8, 12, and 16. Our research has further enriched the mutation spectrum of the ATP7B gene in Chinese and may help to develop genetic screening strategies of WD.

Search for rare liver diseases: the case of glycosylation defects mimicking Wilson Disease

Pediatric hepatology appears to be a very specific field of paediatrics which deals mainly with rare diseases although clinical features can be commonly found - like increased activity of transaminases. Some of these rare diseases like Wilson disease are commonly looked for and recently Wilsonian like phenotypes have been described which additionally presented with abnormal glycosylation of the plasma protein transferrin. In a subgroup of those patients with specific additional clinical symptoms (cleft uvula, low blood sugar, rhabdomyolysis and dilated cardiomyopathy) phosphoglucomutase 1 deficiency was identified. We recommend screening for abnormal glycosylation of the plasma protein transferrin in children with unexplained liver injury.

A practical approach to the child with abnormal liver tests

The presence of elevated aminotransferases on routine blood tests can reveal liver diseases of various severities. In children, etiologies are more numerous and complex than those usually considered in adults. Information derived from family and personal history, physical examination and basic laboratory data are necessary to reach a timely and correct diagnosis. A stepwise approach is proposed to guide the timing of more specific investigations that are often required.