
Too much liver enzymes in children for a considerable amount of time could mean a faulty liver. To know more about factors responsible for liver damage, read on…
One of the important functions of the liver is to manufacture enzymes, which are proteins that help the body to carry out certain chemical reactions at a faster rate. Usually these enzymes reside in the liver but are also found in small amounts in the bloodstream. When the liver gets damaged, its ability to hold these liver enzymes reduces.
Following are the causes that can damage the liver, eventually causing abnormally high levels of liver enzymes to flow into the bloodstream:
Liver Infections
The hepatitis virus is the one that attacks the liver and causes abnormal buildup of enzymes in the blood. Having unhygienic food or water is the primary reason behind catching this viral infection.
Liver Diseases
Liver disorder and enlarged liver in children is yet another factor that causes liver enzymes to accumulate in the blood. Children suffering from diseases such as jaundice, liver cancer, or liver cirrhosis have been diagnosed with this condition.
Unhealthy Diet
An increasing number of children worldwide have developed a liking for fast foods like hamburgers, pizzas, and French fries. All these food items are loaded in unhealthy fats and so too much consumption cannot be tolerated by the liver. The liver has to work harder to promote digestion of these fatty foods. This workload can damage the liver, thus forcing it to expel enzymes in abnormally high amounts into the bloodstream.
Pain Relievers
Although painkillers help to alleviate the discomfort, they can become problematic if they are given in higher doses to children. Studies have proved that children taking high strength tablets of acetaminophen or ibuprofen show elevated liver enzymes.
Vitamins
An unhealthy diet can lead to vitamin deficiency in children. In such cases, to overcome this problem, doctor often prescribe multivitamin supplements for children. However, these supplements have to be given in the right dosage as instructed by the doctor. If this is not followed, it can affect the liver and eventually cause too much of enzymes to circulate in the blood.
Household Chemicals
Many of the household chemicals and products that we use to clean our home contain harmful ingredients. So, if children accidentally inhale or consume these ingredients, the liver may get damaged. In such cases, the damaged liver is likely to send more enzymes into the bloodstream.
If the enzymes are slightly higher than normal, symptoms are usually not observed in children. The liver function test that measures the amount of liver enzymes present in blood, is used to diagnose this condition. As per the test results and the underlying cause, the doctor will suggest a treatment approach to resolve the issue.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.