BMC Pediatrics (Apr 2019)

Predictive value of the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index for parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis in extremely low birth weight infants

  • Ji Hye Hwang,
  • Mi Lim Chung

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1493-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Background Parenteral nutrition (PN) improves the survival of premature infants. However, prolonged PN increases the risk of PN-associated cholestasis (PNAC). Objective We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) for PNAC in infants with extremely low birth weight (ELBW, birth weight 2 mg/dL after other causes of neonatal cholestasis were excluded. Results Among the 179 eligible ELBW infants, 56 (31.3%) were diagnosed with PNAC. APRI significantly differed between infants with PNAC and those without PNAC. The best APRI cut-off point was 0.410 at 2 weeks after the start of PN (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.752, p < 0.05; positive predictive value, 50.6%; negative predictive value, 84.1%). Conclusion APRI at 2 weeks after PN could be a reliable predictor of PNAC development in ELBW infants on PN.

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