Baby has elevated liver enzymes. Experiences?

[Wln]

Hi, my baby is 2 months old and has elevated liver enzymes ALT and AST, also bilirubin is a bit high. These were discovered incidentally when we were in the hospital due to another, unrelated issue. So no symptoms, at least any that we would notice. Doctor said that the levels are only slightly elevated and probably are nothing to worry about, but I’m pretty worried. They did an abdominal scan which was clear. We are doing another blood test next week.

Has anyone’s baby had elevated liver enzymes and turned out to be nothing or something easy to treat? I’m not looking for any horror stories.

No experience but commenting for a hand hold and also to bump. Im sure everything will be fine ❤️

My daughter did when she was newborn. They were also identified incidentally. Doctor told us that it was likely that they can be elevated commonly just most children aren't checked for this. When we returned for follow up they had decreased significantly and there was no need for further follow up. Hopefully same for you!

Did your baby have a Vitamin K shot? My baby had a prolonged jaundice following this shot. He’s nearly 4 months old and has just cleared the jaundice. Nobody told us about the risks that this shot can cause prolonged jaundice. I found out myself when I started looking for answers after none of the medical professionals were able to tell me why he continues to be jaundiced. Normally babies have jaundice for max 2 weeks, but mine still has it. This is one of the side effects of vit K. It thickens the blood so much that an infantile liver struggles to cope with the waste products.

Almost all UK infants have the vitamin K injection (for good reason). There is no association with concerning jaundice at the dose used.

Mildly elevated liver enzymes are pretty common in otherwise well small babies (with or without jaundice) and are unlikely to represent anything nasty going on unless other tests suggest that. Expect the numbers to go back to normal.

We have had two blood tests since my post and in the first one bilirubin had gone down and AST & ALT up and in the second one the opposite had happened. So I’m pretty confused and the doctor did not have any explanations. Next blood test will be in two weeks. I’m particularly worried about direct bilirubin which is also elevated and Google tells me this is ”always pathological”.

Hi - what happened as my baby has raised ALT levels and is 6 months

Also looking for what happened my 4 month old going through same thing - thanks 😊

@Jamontoast1 @Katicus2327 I’m so sorry my answer took this long! After my last message we did two or three tests more and in the last one bilirubin had gone down, ALT & AST were still elevated. We got referred to a specialist who was not worried at all and said that this is typical for breastfed babies, and levels can be elevated up to 6-9 months of age. So we didn’t have to do any more blood tests and baby hasn’t had any symptoms at all. I hope it’s the same for you too!

Aw thanks for your update. We have had a slight decrease in alt, couldn’t get ast as sample clotted too quickly 🙄 Regional liver specialist doesn’t want to see us yet as optimistic that we’re now going in correct direction. But another blood test in 2 weeks to hopefully confirm the downward trend (will be 8 weeks since our last one - pleeeease let this one be the final one!). thank you for update - I’m hoping we’re in same situation as you soon too! Hope your little one is doing really well! Kx

Hi iam in the same boat what happened with your baby is everything ok?

Hi! Im in the same boat here did everything normalize?

@Suleikahdz Yes it did! Baby is now almost 1,5 years old and hasn’t had any symptoms at all. We did a blood test couple of months ago for different reasons and it included also ALT which was now completely normal.

Hi - we were finally discharged at 8 months with enzymes improving but not 100% - moving in right direction. Orla was presenting as 100% healthy and developmentally on target so we never got to the scanning etc stage thank goodness. They do just think that it was a jaundice hangover that took her time to get over. She is 13 months and super healthy. I worried like a crazy person about it all, but it all came to nothing. As a mum I know it’s not realistic to not worry but I hope you take comfort to know it’s all just an irrelevant blur now, wishing you all the best x

My baby has total bilirubin 7.75 and liver enzymes 364 😔