A Possible Case of Mysterious Liver Disease in Children Reported in Illinois in a CDC Warning – NBC Chicago

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Advocate Healthcare officials said the Disease Control and Prevention Center was nationwide about infections, as a case of a possible mysterious liver disease affecting some children in the United States was being investigated in children in Illinois. Said on Monday, a few days after issuing the warning.

A 4-year-old boy was taken to Park Ridge’s Advocate Children’s Hospital for hepatitis, or “liver inflammation,” about two weeks ago, Dr. Vincent Bianck, a pediatric gastroenterologist, told NBC Chicago. According to Bianck, the child was also positive for adenovirus testing under the CDC warning, but health officials were asked to determine if there was the same adenovirus strain as in previous cases reported in the United States. We are still waiting for further test results.

“The number of his liver surged to over 3,000, we followed him in the hospital for three or four days and actually had a liver biopsy, how bad his liver was and how bad it was. I confirmed, “Bianc said.

Fortunately, as in some previously reported cases, the child’s condition improved and his liver began to recover spontaneously without the need for a transplant. He was discharged last week.

CDC issued on Thursday It issues public health warnings to doctors across the country, calling on them to be aware of abnormal cases of severe liver disease in children.

The agency said in it Advisory Nine cases of hepatitis or liver inflammation have been reported in children aged 1 to 6 years in Alabama. NBC News Report Two more have been identified in North Carolina, according to the state health department.

Dozens of cases It has been reported in children across the UK and Europe in recent weeks. The usual virus that causes infectious hepatitis is not found in cases, and scientists and doctors have considered other possible causes, including adenovirus.

According to Lully Children’s Hospital, one of the most common causes of hepatitis is a viral infection, and no cases that appear to be associated with alerts have yet been reported.

Graham Cooke, a professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, said: The liver unit required professional care and some required a liver transplant.

The liver processes nutrients, filters blood, and fights infections. The infection caused symptoms such as jaundice, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Hepatitis can be life-threatening if left untreated.

It is unknown what is causing the disease, but the main suspect is adenovirus.

There are dozens of adenoviruses, many of which are associated with cold-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, and pink eyes, but U.S. officials say nine children in Alabama test positive for adenovirus. Authorities said they were investigating a link to one particular version, adenovirus 41. — This is usually associated with intestinal inflammation.

“It has been found in a significant proportion of these children and children in the UK, but it is so common that we cannot say for sure the cause and effect. That is certainly a possible cause.” , Cook County Health Department Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control.

Public health authorities COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) Vaccines, saying that none of the affected children were vaccinated.

Thursday’s CDC recommendations encourage pediatricians to consider adenovirus testing.

It was that warning that led to the recent discovery of Advocate Children’s Hospital, Bianck said. He added that no additional cases may have been detected prior to the CDC warning.

Although adenoviruses are on the rise in the United Kingdom, WHO said the potential role of these viruses in inducing hepatitis is unclear. WHO said less than 5 cases were identified in Ireland and 3 cases in Spain among children aged 22 months to 13 years.

The United Nations Health Agency said it was “very likely” to detect more cases given the surge in cases and increased surveillance over the past month.

Still, experts say that the risk of severe hepatitis in healthy children remains rare.

“It’s still very rare, you know,” Welbel said. “I’ve seen very few cases so far, some of them are severe and some cases in the United States required liver transplants, but so far it’s me. Is what we call rare. ”

So what should parents be aware of?

“Symptoms of hepatitis in childhood can be vague at first-abdominal pain, loss of appetite, severe malaise-but then, as it progresses, children have dark urine, pale stools, and yellowish white eyes. “These are things that parents notice, and when parents notice, they are from their pediatricians, or urgently or,” said Dr. Estella Alonso, a liver specialist at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. I realize that I should see a doctor as soon as possible in an emergency situation. “

According to Lully Children’s Hospital, the most common symptoms of acute hepatitis are:

• Flu-like symptoms
• heat
• Nausea and / or vomiting
• Anorexia
• I feel sick overall
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• diarrhea
• Subsequent symptoms include dark urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Symptoms of hepatitis may resemble other symptoms or medical problems. Always consult your child’s doctor for diagnosis.

The hospital states that symptoms are likely to vary from child to child.

Experts say that public health protocols implemented from coronaviruses are also the best way to prevent adenovirus.

These include washing your hands properly, avoiding close contact with sick people, staying at home when you are sick, covering coughs and sneezing, disinfecting the surface, and hands from your face and eyes. Includes keeping away.

“These are just basic public health precautions,” Alonso said. “If a child, friend, or member of a sibling suffers from viral gastroenteritis with vomiting or diarrhea, the child should not participate in out-of-school playdates to prevent the spread of the virus. There is. In our opinion, this adenovirus can actually spread to a few children who do not have hepatitis, but in certain individuals it causes an infection that leads to hepatitis. In general, it is good to practice public hygiene measures to reduce the spread of adenovirus. Generally in our community. “