Serum Ferritin in Acute Viral Hepatitis

Abstract

Serum ferritin and biochemical liver tests (serum bilirubin, serum aspartate transaminase, serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), and serum alkaline phosphatase) were recorded at regular intervals from admission to recovery in six patients with acute viral hepatitis. There was a proportional, significant decrease in ferritin and biochemical liver tests during the observation period. Minimum levels of ferritin, bilirubin, and transaminase were reached simultaneously, whereas γ-GT and alkaline phosphatase remained elevated for a slightly longer time. The correlations between corresponding measurements of ferritin and biochemical liver tests were as follows: ferritin and alkaline phosphatase, r = 0.72, P < 0.001; ferritin and bilirubin. r = 0.68, P < 0.001; ferritin and transaminase, r = 0.53, P < 0.001; ferritin and γ-GT. r = 0.50, P < 0.001. In viral hepatitis serum ferritin offers no diagnostic advantage compared with already established tests for hepatocellular damage.

Key words:

• Alkaline phosphatase
• aspartate transaminase
• bilirubin
• ferritin
• glutamyl transpeptidase
• liver diseases
• virus hepatitis