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Viral hepatitis: retrospective review in a canadian pediatric hospital

Paulina Cybulska1, Andy Ni, Carolina Jimenez-Rivera

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8M5.

ISRN Pediatrics
|April 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Viral hepatitis in children typically presents mildly, with most cases showing excellent outcomes. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection frequently resolves spontaneously in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Viral hepatitis presents a spectrum of clinical manifestations in children, from mild symptoms to severe liver inflammation.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and clinical course of viral hepatitis in pediatric populations is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the clinical presentation and outcomes of viral hepatitis in children from Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.
  • To identify the common viral etiologies and their associated clinical characteristics in pediatric hepatitis cases.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective chart review was conducted for children diagnosed with viral hepatitis between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2007.
  • Confirmed viral etiologies included hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis A (HAV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Main Results:

  • Of 261 reviewed charts, 64 had confirmed viral etiologies, with HBV being the most common (53%), followed by HCV (25%).
  • Children with HBV presented at a mean age of 6.4 years, and spontaneous seroconversion occurred in 61.7% of cases.
  • Acute hepatitis (HAV, CMV, EBV) cases presented with mild symptoms like abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever, with overall excellent outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Viral hepatitis in children generally follows a benign clinical course.
  • Spontaneous seroconversion of hepatitis B virus infection is a frequent occurrence in pediatric patients, indicating a favorable prognosis.

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