RESUMO
This prospective study was designed to evaluate the correlation between biochemical changes in hepatic function and severity of dengue infection in pediatric patients. One hundred and four children with a clinically and serologically confirmed diagnosis of dengue infection were classified into the non-shock group, i.e. 20 cases of dengue fever and 27 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever, and the shock group comprising 57 cases of dengue shock syndrome. Liver function tests were performed within the first three days after defervescence or shock. The study showed that levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were significantly higher, whereas, globulin level was significantly lower among patients with more severe disease (p < 0.05). Levels of albumin, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and prothrombin time were not different among the groups. In conclusion, hepatic dysfunction in dengue patients is a common condition. Patients with more severe disease have significantly higher transaminase and lower globulin levels.