CDC issues an alert over hepatitis in kids

A cluster of severe hepatitis cases in Alabama children prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a nationwide health alert on Wednesday, urging doctors and health officials to keep an eye out for, and report, any similar cases.

Officials are investigating the possibility that an adenovirus, one of a group of common viruses that can cause coldlike symptoms, as well as gastroenteritis, pink eye and other ailments, may be responsible.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that has a wide range of causes, including viruses, chemical exposures, some medications and other medical conditions.

The Alabama Department of Public Health has recorded nine unexplained cases of hepatitis in otherwise healthy children younger than 10 that occurred between October and February. None of the children died, but several developed liver failure and two required liver transplants.

All nine children tested positive for adenovirus infections. Several were determined to have what is known as adenovirus type 41, which typically causes diarrhea, vomiting and respiratory symptoms.

Adenoviruses have been known to cause hepatitis, though typically in immunocompromised children.

“It’s not typical for it to cause full-on liver failure in healthy kids,” said Dr. Aaron Milstone, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

Similar cases have recently been reported in Britain.

Although it is possible that an adenovirus is a cause, the connection remains unproven. Doctors noted that adenovirus infections are common in children, and that the children may have been infected with the virus incidentally.

So far, there is no clear connection to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, experts said.

The agency is asking health care providers to test children with unexplained hepatitis for adenovirus infections and to report those cases to health officials.

Signs of serious hepatitis include prolonged fever, severe abdominal pain and jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes.