Question

A 2-month-old female infant has a severe cough. After detailed examination, she was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted for treatment. During urine tests, it was found that alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 112, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was 117, and unconjugated bilirubin (IBIL) was 21. The infant received 6 days of pneumonia treatment and oral medication ‘Mene’ for liver treatment in the hospital. However, during the re-examination on the 20th, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rose to 318, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to 392, total bilirubin (TBIL) to 42, and unconjugated bilirubin (IBIL) to 24. Inquire about the current liver function status of the infant and the possible causes.

Answer

The infant’s liver function indices are significantly elevated, indicating possible liver damage. The causes of liver damage are numerous, including viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver damage, drug-induced liver damage, fatty liver, autoimmune liver disease, malnutrition, bile duct obstruction, hemodynamic disorders, tumors, and genetic defects. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct further examinations to determine the possible etiology of related diseases and take appropriate treatment measures.