Cholestasis Detection Enzyme Tests, in Pregnant Women with Different Hospitalization Diagnosis

Abstract

The aim of the study is the evaluation of serum Alkaline Phosphatase and Gamma-glutamyl Transferase levels in pregnant women as indicators of cholestasis. Cholestasis is defined as a decrease in bile flow due to the obstruction of it through intra/extra hepatic bile ducts. GGT enzyme was previously thought to be helpful in confirming a hepatic source of ALP however, GGT elevations lack the necessary specificity to be a useful confirmatory test for ALP. We analyzed 500 cases of pregnant women from year 2011-2013. Serum enzyme levels (ALP and GGT) were measured respectively using Beckman Synchron LX 20 and Enzymatic method Activity Colorimetric Kit, at the Medical Laboratory “PhD. Stelijan Buzo” in Tirana. According to the laboratory reference values of ALP (100-290 U/L): 50% of the cases resulted normally pregnant women, 50% suffering from liver disease (<100 U/L or >290 U/L); whereas according to values of GGT (8-31 U/L): 75% resulted normally pregnant women, 25% with liver damage (<8 U/L or >31 U/L). Micronutrients deficiency leads to irreversible disorders of development; Nutritional advice would have been more effective either for the mother and the future of her child. There are few reported cases of young mothers, with sufficient income, which limit some foods due to fear of increasing body weight, while forgetting that the lack of appropriate micro-nutrients, directly affects the health of growing babies.