title: [Differential diagnosis of elevated transaminases].
abstract: Elevated serum levels of transaminases must always be considered as an abnormal finding. Drugs and toxins must be eliminated first as possible hepatotoxic agents or co-factors. Antiviral hepatitis A IgM determination is the first test to perform. However, other viruses with spontaneous benign courses are the most frequent cause. Only if the initial presentation is severe, or if liver tests remain abnormal after several weeks, can other rare diseases be sought. Liver biopsy is rarely necessary to reach a diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Service de gastroentérologie pédiatrique, hôpital des Enfants-Malades, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France. florence.lacaille@nck.ap-hop-paris.fr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lacaille
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D000637:Transaminases / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D000637:Transaminases