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Viral hepatitis: symptoms in babies
There is not one but several hepatitis, although the most common in children is hepatitis A. This is overwhelmingly benign and passes by itself in a few weeks. The other forms of the disease, on the other hand, can be more worrying for the baby. To help you see more clearly, here is all the useful information to know!
How does a baby get hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. In children, the origin of this inflammation is overwhelmingly viral. The viruses in question are not very present in France, but can infect babies when traveling to another country. the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common. This virus generally infests the child when the baby puts his dirty little hands to his mouth… But it also happens that the virus infects the child via his food or the water used for his bottle!
Regarding hepatitis B viruses (HBV)C (VHC) and G (VHG), they mainly infect children through the blood. They are therefore mainly transmitted to the baby during childbirth, if the mother is a carrier of one of the viruses. Poor quality blood transfusion can also be responsible for the infection.
As to hepatitis D virus (HDV), it has a very particular mode of propagation. the VHD indeed needs the child to be already infected with HBV to develop!
Some forms of the disease are more discreet than others, such as the dreaded Hepatitis B. However, the main symptoms of viral hepatitis in babies remain largely the same. Severe stomach pains accompanied by vomiting are usually observed. Jaundice is often present, the urine is very dark and forms a little foam. Baby has a fever, loses his appetite and seems very tired.
Childhood forms B and C are the most worrying because they usually become chronic. Over time, they can weaken the liver to the point of causing cirrhosis or, in the worst case, liver cancer.
How is childhood hepatitis diagnosed?
The pediatrician will first look at the baby’s symptoms: some of them, such as jaundice, are very characteristic of a liver problem. On palpation, about 8 out of 10 children with hepatitis also have a much larger-than-normal liver. To confirm the diagnosis, the pediatrician may order a blood test of the baby to look for evidence of a viral infection. In case of a HBV infection ou VHC, it is generally advisable to do a liver biopsy. This small surgery, milder than you think, is the best way to accurately assess the level of inflammation in the liver. A well adapted treatment can thus be established.
How to treat and prevent baby hepatitis?
Baby’s hepatitis A, resolving on its own, does not benefit from any special treatment. We thus limit ourselves to treating the symptoms: lowering the fever, fighting stomach aches… There is nevertheless an anti HAV vaccine, interesting before taking the baby to explore other regions of the world. The other forms of this disease, on the other hand, can give rise to special treatments. As part of a HBV infection, it is in particular an injection of interferon associated with taking antiviral drugs. The latest treatments give good results and stabilize the disease. The hepatitis B vaccine is particularly recommended for babies born to mothers carrying the HBV virus. This can keep them from developing the disease later on. Support for VHC has also progressed a lot in recent years. Baby is now much less likely to have complications in the future.