Current Pediatric Research

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is one of the primary causes of liver illness in children. Acute Viral Hepatitis (AVH) is mostly caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) and the Hepatitis E Virus (HEV). Hepatitis B, on the other hand, is a major cause of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents. The current investigation sought to determine the seroprevalence and clinical outcomes of HAV, HBV, and HEV in children of different age group.

Materials and methods: During the study period, 142 clinically suspected cases of hepatitis were examined. Data included demographic information; clinical history of illness specifically linked to the hepato-biliary system.

Result: Out of 63 viral hepatitis positive patients, 40 (63.4%) were found HAV positive, 9 (14.2%) were HBV positive, and 14 (22.2%) were HEV positive cases. There were also significant co infection found between hepatitis A and B (n=4, 6.3%) and hepatitis A and E (n=7, 11.1%). Male children (54%) were more prone to all kinds of viral hepatitis than female children (46%), with the most prevalent age group being 0-5 years in HAV and HBV cases and 11-15 years in HEV cases. Icterus (jaundice) was the most prevalent clinical sign in the hepatitis profile, with reporting it, followed by fever hepatomegaly and nausea. In children with hepatitis A and B, ascites, encephalopathy, and acute pancreatitis were the most prevalent consequences.

Conclusion: The most frequent viral hepatitis infection in children is hepatitis A, followed by HEV and HBV. This highlights the importance of routine HAV and HEV testing in AVH patients, particularly for the management of severe infections caused of co-infections condition in other viral hepatitis. Co-infection of HBV in HAV and HEV cases found to be significant in clinical outcome.

Author(s): Anita Mehta*

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this