Assessment of Liver Function Tests in Dengue Fever

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of dengue viral infection has tended to rise globally in the recent decades. In India the burden and prevalence of dengue viral infection is increasing as trends reported globally. Hence, along with global pandemic concern dengue has become major public health concern in India. Dengue is an emerging epidemic disease and several outbreaks among every state of India is being reported from time to time.
 Material & Methods: The present cross-sectional study includes 50 Patients who had dengue IgM antibody positive were enrolled from outdoor and from ward by simple random sampling. Clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee was taken before start of study. Written informed consent was taken from each study participant.
 Results: 10 (20%) patients had normal serum ALT levels, 13 (26%) patients had serum ALT levels raised less than Two-folds, 12 (24%) patients had serum ALT levels raised more than Two-folds, 11 (22%) patients had serum ALT levels raised more than four-folds and 04 (8%) patients had serum ALT levels raised more than ten folds. Among the total study participants 7 (14%) had normal serum AST levels, 14 (28%) patients had serum AST levels raised less than Two-folds, 14 (28%) patients had serum AST levels raised more than Two-folds, 12 (24%) patients had serum AST levels raised more than four-folds and 03 (6%) patients had serum AST levels raised more than ten folds.
 Conclusion: Liver function deterioration in dengue fever was varied from normal range of biochemical markers to raised liver function markers. AST elevation was more statistically significant than ALT. Hyperbilirubinemia and raised alkaline phosphatase levels were reported. Low serum albumin levels were associated with critical phase of the liver disease.
 Key words: Dengue fever, Hyperbilirubinemia, AST, ALT.