Bile acids and coagulation factors: paradoxical association in children with chronic liver disease

OBJECTIVETo examine whether there is an association between bile acids and coagulation factors in children with chronic liver disease. METHODSForty-five patients (age 2.8 months–18.8 years) were included in this cross-sectional observational study carried out at a single tertiary referral center. Coagulation factors, prothrombin time, albumin, and total fasting serum bile acids were analyzed. The international normalized ratio (INR) and the pediatric end-stage liver disease score were calculated. RESULTSThe 12 patients with bile acids more than 200 μmol/l showed a significant positive correlation between bile acids and factor V (FV), FVII, and prothrombin time (rs=0.80, 0.72, 0.60, P