The strange cases of childhood hepatitis that have been detected in Spain: symptoms and possible causes

• Hepatitis Three cases of childhood hepatitis of unknown origin detected in Spain

Three cases of children infected by severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin have been detected in Spain.

Those affected are minors between two and seven years of age who come from Madrid, Aragón and Castilla-La Mancha and have required hospital admission.

One of them has had to undergo a liver transplant, but the three cases evolve favourably.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an

that can affect the functions of this organ, which is essential for functions such as the purification of many substances in the body or the treatment of nutrients.

What are the causes of hepatitis in children?

In children it is an unusual disease whose main cause is virus infection.

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They are called hepatotropic viruses because they only cause hepatitis, but "there are many viruses that can also cause hepatitis," explains Cristina Molera Busoms, coordinator of the Hepatology Working Group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SEGHNP) .

It can also be caused by toxic, autoimmune, metabolic, genetic causes, etc.

What is the origin of the cases of hepatitis detected in Spain and the United Kingdom?

At the moment, the origin is unknown.

The analyzes have ruled out that they are due to infection by hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses.

Do these infections have something to do with the pandemic?

The first international investigations indicate that this disease

What are the symptoms of hepatitis?

The symptoms of hepatitis can be non-specific and cause signs such as asthenia, abdominal pain, nausea and/or vomiting or diarrhoea.

However, there are also more characteristic signs, such as jaundice (yellow coloration of the skin and mucous membranes), coluria (dark coloration of the urine), acholia (stools with little pigmentation) and/or pruritus (skin itching).

What prognosis do those affected by this hepatitis have?

According to the available data,

, but in a smaller percentage of cases they have required liver transplantation.

"Acute liver failure is rare in pediatrics. In Spain, 5 to 19% of pediatric liver transplants are performed for acute liver failure," says Molera Busoms.

How are the cases being investigated?

Sources from the Ministry of Health indicate that "a communication has been made to the Autonomous Communities and Cities through the Alert Report and the Public Health Commission and to the scientific societies of Pediatrics and hospital management to carry out an active observation and search of possible cases.

How can they be prevented?

Although the origin of this hepatitis is still unknown, the

to avoid virus infections is frequent hand washing, covering coughs with the inside of the elbow and using disposable tissues.

Doctors advise consulting the pediatrician if the child begins with symptoms that worsen in a few days and remember that children should not be medicated without clinical indication.

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