Estimation of Serum Adenosine Deaminase and Alkaline Phosphatase in Jaundice Patients

To establish the significance of serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels in differential diagnosis of jaundice and its correlation with serum alkaline phosphatase levels.

A total of 50 patients of jaundice and 20 normal healthy controls were enrolled to the study.

Serum ADA levels were within the normal range in pre-hepatic jaundice. Levels were significantly raised in hepatocellular jaundice as compared with the normal levels. In obstructive jaundice, levels were raised significantly but less as compared with hepatocellular jaundice. A measure of 50u/l can be taken as the criterion to distinguish hepatocellular from obstructive jaundice. Serum ADA levels correlate negatively with alkaline phosphatase activity, since the latter index shows highest elevation in obstructive jaundice.

The estimation of serum deaminase activity was found to be an easy procedure, less invasive and cost-effective for the differential diagnosis of jaundice.