Although acute hepatitis in children is rare, parents should be vigilant

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In this exclusive Healio video, Elizabeth Fagan, MD, an independent hepatologist and consultant in Texas, discusses global concerns about cases of acute, severe hepatitis in children and what caregivers need to be aware of.

According to Fagan, there are currently nearly 300 cases of severe hepatitis in children worldwide, according to the WHO and the CDC. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and malaise, as well as progression to jaundice of the eyes and skin, dark urine and pale stools. Some children may develop respiratory problems.

“Although parents are worried, we need to look at this in perspective: it’s still very unusual,” Fagan said. “Diseases such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and gastroenteritis in children are common things that every parent sees regularly. But I think one has to be vigilant to see if any of these symptoms persist, especially if there is any suspicion of jaundice or jaundice. The liver has huge reserves so that the liver is so upset that it causes jaundice, usually means that there are some serious problems that occur in the liver and this should be an alarm bell for parents.