What Scientists Know About Unusual Cases of Hepatitis in Children

Where have new cases been reported?

In early April, the UK became the first country to report a cluster of cases of unexplained hepatitis in children to WHO. The cases were unusual because they occurred within a short time in otherwise healthy children, and clinicians quickly ruled out any of the common hepatitis viruses as the cause. They did not identify any patterns in travel, diet, chemical exposure, or other risk factors that could explain the outbreak. according to this Briefing from the UK Health Safety Agency.

Since then, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain and the United States have reported similar cases, ECDC said.

In the United States, Alabama recorded nine cases between October and February. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that three of the children developed liver failure and two required liver transplants. a new report. The agency noted that all of the children either recovered or recovered.

D., a pediatric transplant hepatologist at the University of Alabama and Children’s Hospital of Alabama at Birmingham. “The two transplanted people are actually pretty well off,” Henry Shiau said.

Cases move CDC raise a nationwide alertasking healthcare providers to watch out for similar cases.

Illinois and Wisconsin they have since disclosed potential cases. North Carolina, Delaware, Minnesota, California, New York, Georgia and Louisiana have also identified or are investigating possible cases, state officials told The New York Times.

What are the symptoms?

In most cases, children developed gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, followed by yellowing of the skin or eyes, known as jaundice. He also had abnormally high liver enzymes, signs of liver inflammation or damage.