Acute hepatitis (Non Hepa A-E) of unknown origin among pediatrics

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY Several clusters and individual cases of acute hepatitis have been reported in the US, Europe and recently in Asia and Central America since October 2021. A laboratory investigation of the common viral hepatitis agents (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV and HEV) yielded negative results prompting the use of the term “acute non HepA-E hepatitis” to describe this condition. As of 24 June of 2022, WHO have reported 920 probable cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin among pediatrics in 33 countries in five WHO regions. Since the previous reports on 27 May 2022, 270 new probable cases have been increased, including from four new countries, some of whom were also found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2. All the patients showed symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, and abdominal pain. The patients’ liver enzymes were remarkably increased. No connection with SARS-CoV-2 or its vaccine has been found so far. However, the suspected cause is adenovirus, including its genomic variations, because its pathogenesis and laboratory investigations have been positively linked. Until further evidence emerges, hygiene precautions could be helpful to prevent its spread.