The Louisiana Health Department reports to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention four cases of hepatitis of unknown origin in otherwise healthy children as part of a national survey of more than 100 cases reported in 25 states and territories. Did.
In rare cases, its severity is a concern among infectious disease professionals. Of the 109 cases reported to the CDC in the last 7 months, 5 children died and 14% needed a liver transplant.
Dr. Mark Klein, Chief Physician at New Orleans Children’s Hospital, said: “More worrisome are these really serious cases that lead to liver failure and liver transplants.”
Hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, is usually One of the few viruses, A to E labels. This is usually associated with adults as it is often spread by gender and needle sharing, but it can also travel through contaminated food and water.
For children, a doctor Most commonly see hepatitis A, This is transferred via the fecal-oral route, Klein said. It can be passed on from child to child, often among very young children who put their hands in their mouths.
The cases investigated by the CDC are also concentrated in young children, mostly children under the age of 5, but some are 16 years.
The cause of the reported cases is still unknown, but a virus called adenovirus 41 has been found in about half of children. Authorities continue to investigate potential causes.
At a press conference last week, Jay Butler, Deputy Director of Infectious Diseases at the CDC, said:
Three cases in Louisiana were identified after a series of cases in Alabama in November 2021 triggered a review of emergency department data. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, one additional case has since been reported by a doctor and is under investigation.
Neither incident has occurred in Children, according to Klein. According to LDH’s representative, all four children in Louisiana reported to the CDC are now on track.
The health warning, first issued by the CDC on April 21, describes a series of cases among nine children in Alabama dating back to October. Some potential causes were ruled out by the authorities: none of the children were infected with hepatitis A, B, C, D or E. No one had a recorded history of COVID-19 or vaccination. Doctors also ruled out urinary tract infections, bacteria, autoimmune hepatitis, and a rare hereditary disease called Wilson’s disease.
Cases have also been reported in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, with 163 cases identified.
However, some of the identified cases may not be linked to the cluster and may eventually be linked to more common causes, Kline said.
Parents should encourage their children to wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and avoid sick people. If your child develops symptoms of hepatitis (yellowing of the skin or eyes, vomiting, dark urine, loss of appetite), you should contact your doctor.
