At least 111 cases of sudden hepatitis in children have been identified in the UK, doctors said, amid “growing” evidence that the problem is linked to adenoviruses.
The UK Health Security Agency said it could not rule out other possible causes such as Covid, which is also investigating, but that adenovirus had been identified in 40 of the 53 cases tested so far.
In the United Kingdom, there were 81 cases in England, 14 in Scotland, 11 in Wales and five in Northern Ireland, with the majority of patients under the age of five.
No child in the UK has died, it was confirmed after the World Health Organization said there were 169 cases worldwide with at least one child dying from the disease.
So far, 11 children have needed a “super-urgent” liver transplant in the last three months due to the virus.
This represents an increase in the need for transplants in the UK, where there are usually fewer than 80 liver transplants in children each year.
Dr Meera Chand, the UK’s leading researcher on the rise in cases, said blocking restrictions that prevented young children from being exposed to the virus could be the factor that hit them hardest.
She said there was a “sensitivity factor – so much lack of prior exposure to this particular age group during the stages of formation they went through during the pandemic.”
Adenoviruses are a family of common viruses that cause a range of illnesses such as colds, vomiting and diarrhea. They are common in children and do not usually cause hepatitis, but can be a rare complication of some types.
Authorities are investigating whether there is a cofactor affecting young children that causes more severe normal adenoviral infections or triggers a specific immune response. This includes hypersensitivity due to lack of previous exposure to viruses, previous or current Covid infection.
Of the cases, 16% of children tested positive for Covid-19 from January to April. However, this is a period when the prevalence was high, experts say. No association has been established with Covid vaccines and none of the children under 10 years of age have been vaccinated.
Experts are investigating all the individual medical conditions that could be linked, but so far none have been identified.
Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said: “Information gathered through our research increasingly suggests that this increase in sudden hepatitis in children is linked to adenovirus infection. However, we are thoroughly researching other potential causes.
“Parents and guardians should be alert to signs of hepatitis (including jaundice) and contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned. Normal hygiene measures such as thorough hand washing (including observation of children) and good thorough respiratory hygiene help reduce the spread of many common infections, including adenoviruses. Children who experience symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection, such as vomiting and diarrhea, should stay home and not return to school or kindergarten for up to 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped.
Symptoms of hepatitis include yellowing of the white of the eyes or skin (jaundice), dark urine, pale, gray stools, itchy skin, muscle and joint pain, fever, feeling and vomiting, feeling unusually tired. time, loss of appetite and abdominal pain.
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