DETERMINATION OF REFERENCE VALUES OF SERUM ɣ-GLUTAMIL TRANSFERASE LEVELS IN PRETERM AND TERM BABIES

Abstract

Abstract

Objective

Expected Ɣ-Glutamyl transferase (GGT) enzyme levels vary by age group; elevated GGT levels are interpreted following age-appropriate values. GGT levels are routinely utilized in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) to eliminate obstructive liver disorders or oxidative liver damage. However, it might be challenging to interpret because typical GGT values have not been established for infants. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to analyze the association between serum GGT levels and gestational age and determine if gestational age, gender, and mode of delivery influence serum GGT levels.

Method

Liver function tests were performed on 200 patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Amasya Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin Training and Research Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022, including GGT levels, weeks of gestation, birth weights, genders, and mode of delivery (cesarean or normal birth). They were classified as preterm, late preterm, or term newborns based on their gestational week. The study includes GGT levels recorded in the first seven days of specific patients and two GGT values measured between 8 and 28 days. The GGT readings of the neonates tested after the 28th day were excluded from the research.

Result

95 (47.5%) of these infants were female, while 105 (52.5%) were male. There were 32 preterm infants (16%), 73 term infants (36.5%), and 95 late preterm infants (34-37 weeks of gestation). 180 (90%) of the patients were delivered through C/S (Cesarean section), whereas 20 (10%) were born via spontaneous vaginal birth (NSVY). The mean GGT (GGT1) value for preterm infants between 1-7 days was 156±58; GGT (GGT2) value for 7-28 days was 132±48; the GGT1 value for the late preterm group was 124.9 74, GGT 2 mean value was 122 38, term baby GGT1 mean value was 150 83, GGT2 mean value was 119±29. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P=0.189, P=0.184). Serum GGT1 and GGT2 levels were substantially higher in male babies (146±116, 133±121) than in female newborns (135±80, 114±64) (P<0.001 for both comparisons). The mean GGT1 and GGT2 values of infants born through C/S were 141±102 and 126±90, respectively, while the mean GGT1 and GGT2 values of infants born via expected vaginal delivery were 139±85 and 107±68, respectively.

Conclusion

Variations in serum GGT levels depend on age, gender, and measuring procedure. In published investigations, GGT levels of preterm infants were examined, but the gestational week was not mentioned. In our investigation, GGT levels in preterm and full-term infants were shown to be much greater than in prior studies and book chapters.