Liver Involvement in Iranian Children With Cystic Fibrosis: Ultrasonography and Biochemical Findings

Abstract

Excellence in Tehran, Iran. In all, 114 patients with cystic fibrosis (70 boys, 44 girls) were enrolled. Sample blood test including AST, ALT, GGT and abdominal Sonography was obtained from all patients. Abnormal liver function test was defined by two consecutive occasions; ALT and/ or AST levels were ≥ 2 times the upper limit of normal values. GGT normal values were defined by patient age. Data were analyzed using χ2 test and independent T test. Statistical significance was defined as P values of < 0.05 by SPSS ver.19 software. Results: Abnormal liver function test was detected in CF patients. As well, liver sonogram was abnormal in approximately one-third of the patients. This study showed a higher prevalence of biochemical abnormality in patients with abnormal livers ultrasonography. Conclusions: Noninvasive paraclinical evaluation methods could be recommended in the patients with CF for early detection of silent liver abnormalities before progression to end stage liver disease.