Scientists are looking for a link between hepatitis and adenovirus and liver damage in children.
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Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
Scientists are looking for a link between hepatitis and adenovirus and liver damage in children.
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
Researchers are investigating a possible link between children infected with hepatitis and adenovirus and liver damage in children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that doctors and public health officials Thursday prevention in pediatric patients with viral hepatitis of unknown etiology. According to the advice, a group of children at the Alabama Children’s Hospital had liver damage — liver failure in some cases — combined with hepatitis and adenovirus infections.
Nine children were identified between October 2021 and February 2022, all of whom tested positive for the virus. adenovirus, which causes cold-like symptoms: diarrhea; sore throat; fever; and can lead to conjunctivitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Every patient also tests positive for hepatitis, inflammation of the liver can lead to not only liver damage and in the worst case even death. And although none of the patients died from their illness, two liver transplants were required.
In light of these findings, CDC is advising healthcare professionals to test for adenovirus in pediatric patients diagnosed with hepatitis of unknown cause.
The World Health Organization was notified of similar cases in the UK earlier this month. 74 cases of acute severe hepatitis of unknown etiology have been identified in the UK.
Similar to the US cases, there were no childhood deaths, but six required liver transplants.
“General [etiology] Current hepatitis cases are still considered unknown and are still under active investigation” New information posted speak. “Laboratory testing for more infections, chemicals and toxins is underway for the identified cases.”
