Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 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

9.4K

Evaluation of pediatric patients with hepatitis A

Bilge Çetinkaya1, Hasan Tezer, Aslinur Özkaya Parlakay

  • 1Ankara Hematology Oncology Children's Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. bcetinkaya@hotmail.com.

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|March 13, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis A in children is common, with most cases showing typical symptoms. However, careful monitoring of pediatric patients with very high liver enzymes (AST/ALT > 1000 IU/L) is crucial for detecting rare severe outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a prevalent global cause of acute viral hepatitis, particularly affecting children.
  • Clinical presentations of HAV infection range from asymptomatic cases to severe, life-threatening disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
  • To identify factors associated with hospitalization and atypical disease progression in children with HAV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 427 pediatric patients (<18 years) diagnosed with Hepatitis A between 2006 and 2011.
  • Evaluation of hospitalization rates, reasons for admission, duration of stay, and laboratory parameters including AST, ALT, PT, aPTT, and blood cell counts.

Main Results:

  • Hospitalization occurred in 28.3% of patients, primarily due to vomiting (58.7%) and abdominal pain (28%).
  • Elevated AST and ALT levels (>1000 IU/L) correlated significantly with increased PT and aPTT.
  • Atypical presentations, including cholestatic, recurrent, and fulminant hepatitis, were rare (0.9%), with no observed mortality.

Conclusions:

  • While atypical courses of Hepatitis A are uncommon in pediatric populations, vigilant follow-up is essential for children presenting with significantly elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT > 1000 IU/L).
  • Prompt identification and management of severe cases are critical for improving outcomes in pediatric HAV infection.
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

2.2K
Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques11:28

Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques

Published on: March 13, 2015

46.1K

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.
86
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...
271
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...
25
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...
408
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...
410
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...
967