Biochemical markers of liver damage in children with measles: a retrospective study
https://doi.org/10.22625/2072-6732-2025-17-4-93-100
Abstract
Liver damage in patients with measles isn’t traditionally considered a “classic” symptom. There are rare descriptions of measles-related hepatitis in the literature, but the frequency of its occurrence is unclear.
The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of cytolysis syndrome in children with measles.
The study examined 87 children with measles who were hospitalized in FRCCID from January 2023 to December 2024.
Elevated ALT levels were recorded in 35,6% of patients, and elevated AST levels were found in 60,3%. The frequency of elevated ALT levels ranged from 10.0% in infants to 70,0% in teenagers. The median ALT level was 130,0 U/ml in the high-school age group and 24,0–38,0 U/ml in other age groups. The median AST level was 121,5 U/ml in the highschool age group and 49,5–57,0 U/ml in other age groups. Cholestasis was more common in children with more severe cytolysis syndrome. None of the children developed acute liver failure, impaired synthetic function, hypocoagulation, or hepatic encephalopathy. Therefore, the frequency of cytolysis syndrome was high among children with measles. Cytolysis syndrome was more common and more pronounced in teenagers. Reactive hepatitis proceeded without clinical manifestations and had a self-limiting course.
About the Authors
E. A. Ulanova
Federal Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Saint-Petersburg
V. A. Greshnyakova
Federal Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases;
Saint-Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University;
Saint-Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Saint-Petersburg
E. N. Kopysheva
Saint-Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Saint-Petersburg
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Review
For citations:
Ulanova E.A., Greshnyakova V.A., Kopysheva E.N. Biochemical markers of liver damage in children with measles: a retrospective study. Journal Infectology. 2025;17(4):93-100. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22625/2072-6732-2025-17-4-93-100
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