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Severe Acute Hepatitis: An Emerging Grave Illness in Children
Raghvendra Singh1, Akshay Kapoor2
1Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College (University of Delhi) and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India. Correspondence to: Dr Raghvendra Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002. drraghvendrasingh@gmail.com.
Indian Pediatrics
|March 14, 2023
Summary
Acute hepatitis in children of unknown origin requires excluding various causes. Management is supportive, but some cases may need liver transplantation, highlighting the importance of infection control.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Recent reports describe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children.
- A proposed case definition aids in identifying affected individuals.
- The etiology remains elusive, necessitating a broad differential diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the current understanding of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children.
- To emphasize diagnostic exclusion criteria.
- To outline management strategies and infection control recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent case reports and proposed definitions.
- Discussion of differential diagnoses including infectious, metabolic, autoimmune, and toxic causes.
- Synthesis of current management approaches and public health implications.
Main Results:
- Acute hepatitis in children without a clear cause is an emerging concern.
- Exclusion of common etiologies is critical for diagnosis.
- Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment, with liver transplantation as a potential necessity.
Conclusions:
- The exact cause of this pediatric hepatitis remains unknown.
- Prompt identification and exclusion of other causes are essential.
- Robust infection prevention and control measures are crucial given the unidentified etiology.
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