[Hepatitis A acquired from an asymptomatic adopted child]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Hepatitis A is a viral infection primarily spread through fecal-oral transmission.
• Screening for hepatitis A is not routinely recommended for all adopted children.
• Children adopted from countries with endemic hepatitis A pose a potential transmission risk.

Observation:

• A case of acute hepatitis in a 36-year-old woman was linked to an adopted African child.
• The child had an asymptomatic active hepatitis A infection.
• The mother was unaware of the child's infection status.

Findings:

• This case highlights the risk of hepatitis A transmission from asymptomatic infected children to adoptive parents.
• The importance of considering hepatitis A vaccination for adoptive parents, especially those with children from endemic regions.
• Current screening practices may not adequately identify all at-risk children.

Implications:

• Vaccination against hepatitis A is crucial for adoptive parents to prevent infection.
• Healthcare providers should counsel adoptive families on hepatitis A risks and vaccination.
• Public health strategies may need to address hepatitis A screening in international adoption contexts.