Behaviour of serum lipids in children with hepatitis A

Serum lipids were estimated in 10 children during the acute phase of hepatitis A and following recovery. Two to 4 days after the appearance of the first symptoms a significant increase in serum lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides and total phospholipids) was found in all children. This increased concentration persisted throughout the active phase regardless of other liver function tests which showed a gradual improvement. 30 days after the start of the disease all serum lipids returned to normal levels. In serum triglyceride fatty acids a gradual decline in the relative linoleic acid concentration was seen. This may be due to faulty absorption of fat or to increased utilization of carbohydrates during recovery. In the major phospholipid fractions an increase in lecithin and a decrease in lysolecithin was seen in most children. This may indicate a defect in the hydrolysis of lecithin to lysolecithin.