Serum glycine-conjugated bile acids in pediatric hepatobiliary disorders.

Measurements of serum bile acids (glycine conjugates of cholic, chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, and 
lithocholic acids) by radioimmunoassay in a variety of pediatric hepatobiliary disorders 
showed elevations in neonatal hepatitis syndromes, cholestasis, and hepatitis of extrahepatic 
or intrahepatic origin. Measurements of individual serum bile acids failed to 
differentiate between the various neonatal hepatitis syndromes. In one patient with 
cholestasis, the increased levels of bile acids observed returned to normal 
following therapy with cholestyramine and phenobarbital. In chronic active hepatitis the 
serum bile acid values correlated well with the bilirubin and SGOT 
in response to therapy with corticosteroids. These data confirm suggestions that 
serum cholylglycine and chenodeoxycholylglycine levels are a sensitive indicator of disturbed 
hepatic function and can be used in monitoring the course, activity, 
and therapeutic response in various hepatitis syndromes. In Reye's syndrome and 
protracted diarrhea of infancy, elevations in serum bile acids were detected 
without associated hyperbilirubinemia and provided additional evidence of disturbed hepatic function. 
