title: Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity and bile acids in normal Taiwanese infants.
abstract: To facilitate making a diagnosis of cholestatic liver disease in Taiwan, we have established reference ranges for serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) activity and bile acids in normal Taiwanese infants. The serum level of gamma-GT activity was assayed in 90 normal Taiwanese infants and children aged between 2 days and 2 years old. These data were analyzed in twenty-three 0-3-month-old, twenty-four 4-6-month-old, and forty-three 7-24-month-old infants. The mean values of serum gamma-GT activity were 47.4 +/- 26.6, 21.5 +/- 7.3, and 14.0 +/- 3.2 IU/L for the respective age groups. The highest reference gamma-GT values were 99.5, 35.8, and 20.3 IU/L for the respective age groups. The mean values of serum gamma-GT activity were highest in infants younger than 3 months, and these gradually decreased to the adult level with age (p < 0.01). Serum bile acids were measured in 24 premature and 56 full-term infants. The mean values of serum bile acids were 34.5 +/- 34.5 mumol/L in preterm infants and 18.7 +/- 21.9 mumol/L in full-term babies. The bile acid levels of preterm infants were higher than those in full-term babies (p < 0.01).
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Chih
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Huey-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Keh-Sung
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Jen-Ruey
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Yen-Hsuan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Mei-Hwei
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012016:Reference Values; D013624:Taiwan; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase