Question
Why are the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels high in a four-month-old baby? How should it be handled?
Answer
There’s no need to worry; this does not necessarily indicate liver disease. Newborns experience physiological jaundice in the early stages of life due to the breakdown of a large number of red blood cells and an incomplete maturation of the liver enzyme system. During this time, alanine aminotransferase levels are usually about double those of adults. Typically, these levels will drop to a level similar to that of adults by 5 months to one year. Therefore, elevated alanine aminotransferase levels do not necessarily suggest liver disease.