Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
10:28

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks

Published on: June 26, 2020

Hepatitis A in children- clinical course, complications and laboratory profile

K Jagadish Kumar1, H C Krishna Kumar, V G Manjunath

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, JSS Medical College, JSS University, Mysore, Karnataka, India, jagdishmandya@gmail.com.

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|August 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis A in children can cause serious complications and even death, despite often being self-limiting. Close monitoring is essential to detect and manage these extrahepatic manifestations and potential mortality risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Hepatology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a significant global health concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
  • While often self-limiting, understanding the full spectrum of HAV disease course and potential complications in children is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively investigate the clinical course and identify complications associated with acute viral hepatitis A in a cohort of children.
  • To evaluate the incidence of extrahepatic manifestations and mortality in pediatric cases of hepatitis A.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 78 children diagnosed with acute hepatitis A via IgM anti-HAV antibodies.
  • Systematic assessment for involvement of other organ systems and complications, including laboratory tests and imaging.

Main Results:

  • Jaundice was universal; fever (82.1%), hepatomegaly (98.7%), and splenomegaly (39.7%) were common. Elevated AST/ALT levels were observed in most cases.
  • Significant complications included coagulopathy (15.4%), thrombocytopenia (5.1%), ascites (44.9%), gallbladder wall thickening (41%), and pleural effusion (14.1%). Rare cases of acute renal failure, glomerulonephritis, and pancreatitis occurred.
  • Mortality was 1.3%, attributed to fulminant hepatic failure. Most children recovered within two months, though two experienced prolonged cholestasis.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis A in children, though typically self-limiting, can present with significant extrahepatic manifestations and a non-negligible mortality rate.
  • Vigilant follow-up and a high index of suspicion are necessary to identify and manage complications effectively in pediatric hepatitis A cases.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target11:34

A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target

Published on: May 10, 2022

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA04:11

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Published on: December 15, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...