CORRELATION OF OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE, SERUM GAMA-GLUTAMYL TRANSFERASE AND ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN CHILDREN BELOW OF 14 YEARS IN SOUTHERN PUNJAB.

J Peop Univ Med Health Sci. 2025:15(3), 55-63. http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2025/15.03.658

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice in children is a significant clinical concern that requires
timely diagnosis to prevent long-term hepatobiliary complications. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed
to assess the correlation between serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), Alkaline Phosphatase
(ALP), and the presence of obstructive jaundice in children under 14 years of age in Southern Punjab.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 pediatric patients diagnosed with
jaundice. Demographic, clinical, diagnostic, and laboratory data were collected. Serum GGT, ALP,
and bilirubin levels were measured. Patients were categorized into obstructive and non-obstructive
groups based on imaging and clinical diagnosis. Statistical analyses included correlation, group
comparisons, logistic regression, and ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 7.13 ± 3.94
years; 50.8% were male. Dark-colored urine (62%) and pruritus (58%) were the most common
symptoms. Ultrasonography revealed dilated bile ducts in 41.2% and gallstones in 24.0%. The mean
GGT and ALP levels were 306.48 ± 169.65 U/L and 780.71 ± 420.45 IU/L, respectively. A strong
positive correlation was found between GGT and ALP (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), and both were
significantly elevated in obstructive jaundice cases (p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed GGT (OR
= 1.014), ALP (OR = 1.005), and direct bilirubin (OR = 1.186) as independent predictors. ROC
analysis yielded AUCs of 0.91 for GGT and 0.88 for ALP. CONCLUSION: GGT and ALP are
reliable, accessible markers for identifying obstructive jaundice in pediatric patients, especially in
low-resource settings. Their integration into early diagnostic protocols can significantly improve
clinical outcomes.