Acute Hepatitis and Pancytopenia in Healthy Infant with Adenovirus

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Hepatology
• Virology

Background:

• Adenoviruses commonly cause respiratory and ocular infections in children.
• While known to cause hepatitis in immunocompromised individuals, it's a rare cause in immunocompetent hosts.
• Adenovirus can lead to severe liver complications, including fulminant hepatic failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of severe adenovirus-induced hepatitis in an immunocompetent infant.
• To describe the clinical presentation and laboratory findings associated with this severe presentation.
• To emphasize the potential for adenovirus to cause significant liver injury in previously healthy children.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 23-month-old infant.
• Clinical evaluation including assessment of hepatitis, edema, and cytopenias.
• Diagnostic workup for infectious etiologies, including adenovirus detection.

Main Results:

• The infant presented with acute noncholestatic hepatitis, hypoalbuminemia, generalized anasarca, and pancytopenia.
• Adenovirus infection was identified as the causative agent.
• The clinical picture mimicked other severe liver conditions but was attributed to adenovirus.

Conclusions:

• Adenovirus infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute hepatitis with systemic manifestations in immunocompetent infants.
• This case underscores the spectrum of adenovirus disease, extending to severe hepatic involvement in healthy children.
• Early recognition and diagnosis are crucial for managing severe adenovirus infections.