The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that at least 228 cases of possible hepatitis were seen in children in 20 countries around the world, and 50 new cases were being investigated. It is being investigated whether there is a mysterious increase worldwide in cases of liver disease, first seen in the UK.
The causes of the disease are being investigated, but common adenovirus, which usually causes colds, vomiting and diarrhea, is considered effective in cases.
According to experts, the return of social life to normal after the pandemic may also be a factor.
As of May 1, most cases of hepatitis in children have been detected in Europe, according to the WHO. A small number of cases were also found in the Americas, Western Pacific and Southeast Asia.
What is the situation in Turkey?
There are no reported cases in Turkey yet, but officials argue that this is not a definitive result.
Speaking to Demirören News Agency (DHA), Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Head Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ceyhan said, “We cannot say that it has not been seen in Turkey yet.” One of the reasons for this is that adenovirus notification is not mandatory.
Another important reason is that adenovirus is not considered in cases because it is not known as a causative virus for hepatitis. prof. Dr. Ceyhan said, “If it is adenovirus, we have not seen it so far, but we have seen a similar case due to another virus.”
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a general term covering cases of inflammation of the liver tissue.
How is hepatitis transmitted?
The disease is usually caused by a viral infection, but some chemicals, alcohol, drugs, and certain genetic disorders also cause hepatitis.
Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, the most common types of hepatitis, are caused by specific viral infections. However, these viruses have not been found in cases seen in children to date.
Scientists are therefore focusing on a specific type of adenovirus. However, it is known that adenovirus does not usually cause severe cases of hepatitis. Therefore, it is thought that other factors may be effective.
How were cases detected?
The first “signal” of a small but unusual increase in cases in healthy young children was seen in Scotland.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which has been examining hospital admissions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since January, has launched an investigation.
Currently, there are at least 111 cases reported in children under 10, most of whom are younger than 5 years old.
The children first had symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, followed by jaundice.
Of the confirmed cases, 81 are in England, 14 in Scotland, 11 in Wales and 5 in Northern Ireland.
Most recover mildly, but 10 need liver transplants.
How many children worldwide are affected?
The detection of the United Kingdom raised awareness in other countries as well, and cases in a similar situation began to be investigated.
As of May 1, at least 228 possible cases of hepatitis have been reported in 20 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It is stated that 50 more cases are under investigation.
The majority of cases are in Europe; others in the Americas, the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia.
One child reportedly died of hepatitis.
What is the cause of the cases?
WHO announced that it is not clear whether there is an increase in hepatitis cases. Because there may also be a new awareness of a situation that appears to be an increase, which is not normally detected.
But there is currently no reason to believe that a rare liver disease has spread around the world. Cases occur only in children from different countries.
The UK Health Safety Authority announced that the F41 strain of adenovirus is the prime suspect. F41 was detected in about three-quarters of the children here.
Adenoviruses are usually spread through close personal contact and can cause illness, diarrhea and the common cold. There are more than 50 species.
Health officials believe the virus has returned or may have developed a different strain after nearly disappearing in the first year of the pandemic.
The current surge is thought to be due to the impact of adenovirus on the immune systems of vulnerable young children who have not been previously exposed to the virus.
Laboratory data from the UK show that common viruses are now spreading at a higher rate than in previous years, especially in children under the age of five.
What else is known?
Covid-19 was also seen in about 16 percent of the cases admitted to the hospital. But health officials say this is not a surprise, as Covid was quite common at the time.
The wide geographical distribution of cases indicates that there is no link between the children in question, such as consuming the same spoiled food.
From the UK Health Security Agency, Dr. Meera Chand says the evidence for the connection of cases with adenovirus is getting stronger, adding:
“But we’re thoroughly investigating other possible causes.”
Does it have anything to do with Covid vaccines?
No, because none of the children with cases were vaccinated.
In the UK, those under the age of 5 are not vaccinated against Covid.
Could the Covid infection itself be the cause?
Health officials in the UK say they are examining the Covid history of affected children and whether it could be linked to a new variant of adenovirus.
A wide variety of other infections and their causes continue to be investigated.
Research shows that a small number of babies and children infected with Covid in other countries such as the USA, Brazil and India need hepatitis treatment. In most of these cases, patients recovered quickly and were discharged within a few days.
What should parents pay attention to?
The first point that parents, general practitioners and other health professionals should pay attention to: Jaundice in the whites of the eyes, skin and other parts of the body.
Other symptoms of hepatitis in children include:
- dark urine
- Pale, gray stools
- skin itching
- Muscle and joint pain
- High fever and nausea
- feeling tired
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach ache
Experts emphasize that children with symptoms should not be sent to school for 48 hours, and that hygiene measures such as hand washing reduce the spread of viruses.