HEPATITIS IN CHILDREN: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SURGE IN LIVER DISEASE CASES
No, it’s not caused by COVID-19 vaccines, as some social media posts have suggested
“No link between the surge and one common factor has been identified”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is looking into 145 cases of hepatitis in children in the UK, 10 of whom have required a liver transplant. At the time of writing, 228 probable hepatitis cases from 20 countries around the globe have been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), and there has been one death attributed to child hepatitis since the rise was reported on 5 April.
Scientists do not yet know the cause of this surge in cases of child hepatitis – an illness that sees the liver inflamed and/or injured, which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting. In cases of acute, short-term hepatitis, the inflammation usually resolves itself quickly, particularly in children. And it’s also not uncommon for someone to have mild hepatitis without ever recognising any symptoms.
However, the cases currently under investigation are severe, requiring hospitalisation, treatment and, in 7.5 per cent of cases, a liver transplant.
“The liver is a tremendous organ. It’s our biggest internal organ and it’s the only one that has the ability to grow back,” said Dr Zania Stamataki, a liver immunologist based at the University of Birmingham.
“This is a very, very rare disease. So, as a mum, I’m not hugely concerned. But as a viral immunologist, it is raising an eyebrow, because the incidence of these cases is higher than pre-pandemic levels.”
No link between the surge and one geographic area or common factor (such as particular foods or animals, travel or toxin) has been identified. But there are several hypotheses among the medical community as to the cause of the sudden rise in severe hepatitis cases. One possible cause is adenovirus infection. This common type of virus can cause illnesses such as colds, fevers, pneumonia and diarrhoea.
The UKHSA is also investigating the potential role of COVID-19 vaccinations, but the WHO reports that the majority of children with the illness have not received the vaccine. Others have suggested that the sudden rise in cases could be due to COVID-19 lockdowns, as children have not been exposed to as many viruses and infections.
“It’s an interesting hypothesis,” said Stamataki. “Children need viral infection over the years to build up their immunity to incoming viruses. But this doesn’t explain why only a handful of those children had severe disease.”
Health officials have said that 16 per cent of UK cases of child hepatitis were positive for coronavirus when they were admitted to hospital. However, as levels of COVID-19 were high in the general population at that time, it would not be unexpected for the children to test positive.
The NHS is encouraging parents to see their GP if their child has hepatitis symptoms. It recommends that any child experiencing vomiting and diarrhoea should stay home and only return to school or nursery once 48 hours have passed.