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The number of cases of hepatitis in children has already risen to 650 — informed the World Health Organization (WHO). Scientists and doctors are still looking for answers to the question of what causes the disease because — as they emphasize — the cases are different from those they have known so far. The current hepatitis is more severe and a greater percentage of children develop liver failure.
- Hepatitis has already been diagnosed in 650 children under the age of 10 worldwide
- The disease is not caused by pathogens normally responsible for hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
- One theory is the link to COVID-19. Coronavirus or antibody infection has been detected in many young patients
- Cases of hepatitis in children have already been found in Poland
- Doctors urge parents to react and report to the doctor immediately when they notice yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eyes, dark urine and light stools
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Mysterious hepatitis in children. How many cases?
The WHO records successive cases of hepatitis in children, and scientists and doctors are working hard to find the cause. So far unsuccessful, but one thing is known. There are more cases now and the WHO says that the current cases are different from all the doctors have treated before. Currently, hepatitis has a sudden onset and is clinically more severe, with a greater percentage of children developing hepatic failure.
The collected data shows that 14 percent. patients required intensive care, 12 percent. required a liver transplant, and nine children died. 75 percent are children under the age of 5. Most of them were healthy before they got sick. These children were not vaccinated against COVID-19, so doctors deny that the cause is related to the vaccine. However, some children have antibodies or tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, so it may be the direction for further research.
Hepatitis in children. Adenovirus on the culprit list
Common viruses known to cause hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E have been ruled out in these patients. vomiting.
However, experts say that adenovirus 41 is not an obvious culprit as it has never caused hepatitis in children who do not have a weakened immune system. The UK Health Safety Agency has started a study to try to determine if adenovirus 41 is detected more often in children with hepatitis than in others. British scientists say they found an increase in adenovirus activity in combination with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Scientists are also studying the effects of environmental causes, exposure to toxins and the effects of other viruses. They announced a very extensive study because, says Dr. Michelle M. Kelly, a professor at Rhode Island University, “the absence of an identifiable cause for these cases is very worrying”.
Hepatitis in children. What should parents know?
Pediatrician Dr. Ilhan Shapiro advises parents to contact their pediatrician right away if they are concerned that their child may have symptoms of hepatitis.
“When the liver stops working, all the chemicals that we normally flush start building up in our bodies” — says Dr. Shapiro. «The child will start to have yellow skin and white eyes — this is one of the most common things we can notice. Other symptoms include dark urine and white stools ». The symptoms of the disease also include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, itching of the skin, and abdominal pain.
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Dr. Shapiro also said that parents can help with their child’s immunization knowledge. There are vaccines that protect against the hepatitis A virus and the hepatitis B virus. “Parents should inform their doctors if their child has been vaccinated against any of these viruses”. Shapiro also recommended an analysis of where the child was and if anyone around him was sick.
The American pediatrician also reassures that the liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate after injuries. «It is a beautiful feature of her. It is a very durable organ » — says.