Cases of hepatitis – a condition that affects the liver and may occur for a number of reasons – is increasing in children under 10. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recently detected “higher than usual rates” of liver inflammation, with approximately 60 cases under investigation in England and 11 in Scotland. The condition can occur in children as a result of several viral infections.
However, in the cases under investigation the common viruses that cause hepatitis have not been detected.
UKHSA is working swiftly with the NHS and public health colleagues across the UK to investigate the potential cause.
“We’re asking parents and carers to be vigilant for symptoms of jaundice in children as we’ve detected higher than usual rates of liver inflammation in children,” the health body wrote on Twitter.
Doctor Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, said: “Investigations for a wide range of potential causes are underway, including any possible links to infectious diseases.
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“We are working with partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, so that any further children who may be affected can be identified early and the appropriate tests carried out. This will also help us to build a better picture of what may be causing the cases.
“We are also reminding parents to be aware of the symptoms of jaundice – including skin with a yellow tinge which is most easily seen in the whites of the eyes – and to contact a healthcare professional if they have concerns.”
Hepatitis symptoms include:
- Dark urine
- Pale, grey-coloured poo
- Itchy skin
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
- Muscle and joint pain
- A high temperature
- Feeling and being sick
- Feeling unusually tired all the time
- Loss of appetite
- Tummy pain.
Health managers in Scotland described the speed and severity of the spread as “unusual”.
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Cases have been diagnosed across the country in Lanarkshire, Tayside, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Fife.
There are currently no clear causes and no obvious connection between them, Public Health Scotland (PHS) said.
Doctor Nicholas Phin, PHS director of public health, said their investigation was in its early stages.
He said: “If you have a child who is showing signs of jaundice, where the skin has a yellow tinge, and is most easily seen in the whites of the eyes, then parents should contact their GP or other healthcare professional.
“We are continuing to investigate these cases and will provide further updates as and when they are available.”
What causes hepatitis in a child?
Hepatitis in children can be caused by many things. Your child can get hepatitis by being exposed to a virus that causes it.
Although the common viruses that cause hepatitis have not been detected in the cases under investigation, these viruses can include:
- Hepatitis viruses. There are five main types of the hepatitis virus: A, B, C, D, and E
- Cytomegalovirus. This virus is a part of the herpes virus family
- Epstein-Barr virus. The virus causes mononucleosis
- Herpes simplex virus. Herpes can affect the face, the skin above the waist, or the genitals
- Varicella zoster virus (chickenpox). A complication of this virus is hepatitis. But this happens very rarely in children
- Enteroviruses. This is a group of viruses often seen in children. They include coxsackie viruses and echoviruses
- Rubella. This is a mild disease that causes a rash
- Adenovirus. This is a group of viruses that causes colds, tonsillitis, and ear infections in children. They can also cause diarrhoea.
- Parvovirus. This virus causes fifth disease. Symptoms include a slapped-cheek rash on the face.
“Conditions can also cause hepatitis in children. These can include autoimmune liver disease,” warns Stanford Children’s Health.
The health body continues: “For this disease, your child’s immune system makes antibodies that attack the liver. This causes inflammation that leads to hepatitis.”
It says that children who are exposed to a virus that causes hepatitis are more likely to get hepatitis.
How serious is hepatitis?
The NHS says: “Some types will pass without any serious problems, while others can be long-lasting (chronic) and cause scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), loss of liver function and, in some cases, liver cancer.”
The health body adds: “In the later stages it can cause jaundice, swelling in the legs, ankles and feet, confusion, and blood in your stools or vomit.”
Source: Daily Express
