Which countries have reported an increase in childhood hepatitis cases so far?
In early April, Scotland was one of the first countries to report an increase in cases of acute hepatitis in previously healthy children under the age of ten. Additional cases were reported in other parts of Britain in mid-April, a total of 84 cases since 5 April 2022, in which the cause of the liver inflammation is unclear. The most affected children were between two and five years old. Also in mid-April, the European health authority ECDC reported that liver inflammation of unknown cause has also occurred in children in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain. There have also been documented cases in the US. “Investigations are ongoing in all countries with reported cases,” the ECDC said. These are accumulations that are above the expected level of liver inflammation in this age group.
On 31 March 2022, the Scottish Health Authority reported five children aged three to five who had developed severe hepatitis of unknown cause within three weeks at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. The typical number of cases of hepatitis of unknown cause in Scotland would normally be less than four per year.
What symptoms did the children experience? What should parents watch out for?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can damage liver cells. This can be caused by drugs and toxins, but also by pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses, for example, are known to cause liver damage. “But many other viruses can also lead to hepatitis, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, which routinely affects the liver, or herpes viruses, adenoviruses, and several others,” says pediatrician Kerbl.
According to the ECDC, most children affected by hepatitis of unknown origin did not have a fever but had elevated levels of liver enzymes and many had jaundice. Some have reported abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting in previous weeks. Some of the children needed treatment at specialized pediatric liver centers, and some needed liver transplants.