Approach to the Yellow Baby Flashcards
What is included in LFTs?
LIVER DAMAGE TESTS
Bilirubin
ALT/AST (alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase)
Alkaline phosphatase
Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT)
What bilirubin measurements are taken?
Total bilirubin
“Split” bilirubin – Direct (conjugated) + Indirect (unconjugated)
When is ALT/AST elevated?
Elevated in hepatocellular damage (“hepatitis”)
When are alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) elevated?
Biliary disease
How might liver FUNCTION be tested?
Coagulation
Albumin
Bilirubin
(Blood glucose)
(Ammonia)
What measurements are used to assess coagulation?
Prothrombin time (PT)/INR
APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)
How does paediatric liver disease clinically manifest?
JAUNDICE
Incidental finding of abnormal blood test
Symptoms/signs of chronic liver disease
Where is jaundice most obvious?
Sclera
When does jaundice become visible?
Total bilirubin >40-50 umol/l
What is diagnosis of infant jaundice dependent on?
Understanding bilirubin metabolism
Age of the infant
Where in bilirubin metabolism does pre-hepatic jaundice occur?
Post-mature erythrocytes –> Unconjugated bilirubin
Where does intrahepatic jaundice occur?
Unconjugated –> conjugated bilirubin (at liver)
Where does post-hepatic jaundice occur?
CHOLESTASIS
Conjugated bilirubin combined with bile in the small intestine to form urobilirubin
What are the classifications of infant jaundice?
Early (<24 hours old)
Intermediate (24hrs – 2 weeks)
Prolonged (>2 weeks)
What are the causes of early infant jaundice?
ALWAYS PATHOLOGICAL
Haemolysis
Sepsis
What are the causes of intermediate infant jaundice?
Physiological, Breast milk, Sepsis, Haemolysis