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Acute infectious hepatitis. Clinical and epidemiological study
Insights
This study on acute infectious hepatitis in children found a 5% hospital incidence and a 2.5% mortality rate. Blood group A+ children were more susceptible to HBAg- hepatitis, while 0+ children were more susceptible to HBAg+ hepatitis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
Background:
- Acute infectious hepatitis poses a significant health concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the epidemiological patterns and risk factors is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical and biochemical features of acute infectious hepatitis in children.
- To investigate the association between hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status, blood groups, and nutritional status.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 120 pediatric cases of acute infectious hepatitis (1971-1974).
- Classification into HBsAg-positive (HBAg+) and HBsAg-negative (HBAg-) groups.
- Clinical and biochemical assessments at admission, day 15, and day 30.
Main Results:
- Hospital incidence was 5%, with no typical seasonal pattern observed.
- Malnourished children showed higher susceptibility.
- Significant associations were found between blood groups and HBsAg status: A+ children were more prone to HBsAg- hepatitis, while 0+ children were more prone to HBsAg+ hepatitis.
- Clinical and biochemical recovery was observed within 30 days.
- Mortality rate was 2.5%.
Conclusions:
- Acute infectious hepatitis in children exhibits specific associations with blood groups and nutritional status.
- Recovery is generally achieved within 30 days for most cases.
- Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of steroid therapy in severe cases.
Abstract:
A retrospective study of 120 children from birth to seven years of age suffering from acute infectious hepatitis was carried out from 1971 to 1974 at the Children's Hospital "La Fe". Only the most serious cases from the region were admitted to the Hospital and were classified and analyzed according to HBAg+ and HBAg- groups. Clinical and biochemical evaluations were done at admission, and again after 15 and 30 days. The main findings were as follows: hospital incidence was 5%; seasonal distribution did not follow the expected epidemiological pattern; the disease was more common among malnourished children; HBAg+ and HBAg- cases were not randomly distributed among the various blood groups: A+ children were four times more susceptible to HBAg- than to HBAg+, and 0+ children were more than twice more susceptible to HBAg+ than to HBAg-; clinical and biochemical recovery occurred within 30 days after hospital admission; mortality was 2.5%. Steroid therapy was reserved for the most serious cases; however, it was not possible to evaluate in this study its contribution to the course of the disease.