CHILDREN STRUCK BY MYSTERY HEPATITIS OUTBREAK
Medical experts fear further cases as young patients require liver transplants
AN outbreak of ‘severe’ hepatitis in Scottish children has left one youngster needing a liver transplant.
The condition has hit 13 children between the ages of one and ten this year – with five of them still in hospital.
Experts investigating the outbreak say it could have been caused by Covid or poor immunity to other infections because of social distancing. All have been diagnosed with non-A-E hepatitis, or liver inflammation without a known cause.
This is normally a rare illness affecting eight children a year in Scotland. Yet it is on the increase across the UK. There have been
49 cases in England since January. A further 12 have occurred across both Wales and Northern Ireland.
In total, six children across the UK have needed liver transplants, suggesting the infection is extremely serious. None has died.
Two of the Scottish victims were close contacts of two other cases and all the children spent at least six days in hospital.
Worrying findings have been published by experts at Public Health Scotland and the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, who are leading an investigation.
There are reports of similar outbreaks in Spain and the United States.
Public health experts are looking at a group of viruses called adenoviruses. These spike in the winter and normally cause mild infections such as colds.
Experts think the hepatitis cases could have been caused by a new variant of adenovirus, or that young children may have become susceptible to an existing strain because of reduced contact with bugs in the community.
They are also looking at whether Covid-19 may have played a role. Five of the 13 Scottish children had recently tested positive for Covid.
Not all were fully tested for adenovirus, but five produced positive results.
In a report in the journal Eurosurveillance, a team led by Public Health Scotland epidemiologist Kimberly Marsh said: ‘Prior to their admission, cases were reported as generally healthy.
‘None of them had any significant past medical history, such as an underlying immune deficiency, nor had they received immunosuppressive medication.
‘Initial hypotheses about the nature of the severe hepatitis included either an infectious pathogen or a toxic exposure to food, drinks or toys.
‘Toxicology analyses are ongoing, although responses to the investigation questionnaire about food, drink and personal care habits have not yet identified any common exposures.’
Miss Marsh said an infection seemed ‘more likely’, but warned that a new virus could not be ruled out.
Infectious causes being explored included ‘increased severity of disease following infection with Omicron’.
The children had symptoms including jaundice, abdominal pain and nausea.
Dr Jim McMenamin, head of health protection infection services at Public Health Scotland, said: ‘Along with colleagues in other parts of the UK, several lines of investigation are ongoing.
‘In a number of cases, adenovirus and SARS-CoV2 have been detected, so these links are currently being investigated.’
He warned: ‘Parents should contact their GP or other healthcare professional if they notice signs of jaundice in their child. This can be a yellow tinge in the whites of their eyes or on their skin.’
He urged those caring for young children to be ‘vigilant’ about hygiene and added: ‘We will issue further updates as the situation develops and we have more information.’
Dr McMenamin said GPs had been contacted about possible victims and warned: ‘We may yet see further cases now people are aware of what to look for.’
The World Health Organisation yesterday echoed that message.
Health officials have stressed that there is ‘no link’ to Covid19 jabs as none of the children affected have received a vaccine.