The Heratsi analyst, together with the infectious diseases service of the Muratsan hospital complex, summarized the currently known facts about cases of acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin observed in children.
On April 5, the United Kingdom reported to the World Health Organization cases of acute, severe hepatitis with unknown genealogy among previously healthy children under 10 years of age. About a month after the first cases, as of May 5, 2022, about 95 cases of the disease were registered in 15 countries of the European Union, another 145 in the United Kingdom.
The disease has also been registered in the USA and Israel. Typical symptoms of acute severe hepatitis With unknown origin include gastrointestinal disorders, followed by jaundice (in 74% of cases), vomiting (in 73% of cases), fecal discoloration (in 58% of cases), diarrhea (in 49% of cases) and nausea (in 39.5% of cases). Currently, scientists are studying several hypotheses of the occurrence of the disease.
A related factor that affects young children by exacerbating common mild adenovirus infections or causing them to have immunopathology. a)susceptibility to infection due to low incidence of seasonal infections due to lockdown, b) previously transferred or concomitant coronavirus disease, c) toxins, drugs or environmental factors, d) a new type of adenovirus infection, etc. In the context of the above, it is necessary to know that the incidence of cases is too low, studies of their genealogy are continuing, and even if adenovirus infection plays a role, the disease probably does not have signs of a disease transmitted from person to person.
Nevertheless, in order to remain vigilant, parents are advised not to self-medicate when the above symptoms appear in children, but to immediately contact specialists, as well as strictly observe hygiene rules (hand washing, respiratory hygiene, etc.), which help prevent the spread of many infections. It is also important to follow information from official or authoritative sources and remember that publications on social networks often have no scientific justification, and in some cases are clearly false. In the preparation of this material, the publications of the NSS of the EU and the WTO were used.