[Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in children with chronic hepatitis B].
THE AIM OF THE STUDY was evaluation of serum activity of chosen enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT and ALP) in assessment of fibrosis degree in children with chronic hepatitis B.


METHODS
We determined serum activity of liver enzymes in 47 children aged 4-16 with biopsy-verified chronic hepatitis B, prior to interferon alpha treatment. Fibrosis stage was assessed in a blinded fashion according to Batts and Ludwig. We defined advanced fibrosis as a score =3. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to calculate the power of the assays to detect advanced liver fibrosis (AccuROC, Canada).


RESULTS
Serum GGT activity of 19 IU/I had a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 90% (AUC=0.7324, p=0.0391) to predict advanced fibrosis. All other enzymes did not allow a useful prediction.


CONCLUSIONS
GGT is suitable serum marker to predict advanced liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B.
Lebensztejn
Dariusz Marek
DM
III Klinika Chorób Dzieci Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku. DariuszMar.8810735@pharmanet.com.pl
Skiba
Elzbieta
E
Sobaniec-Lotowska
Maria Elzbieta
ME
Kaczmarski
Maciej
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase