https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35862247/ hepatitis

Review

Hepatology. 2022 Jul 21.
doi: 10.1002/hep.32682. Online ahead of print.

Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Origin in Children: Behind the Statistics

Randa Elsheikh # 1 2, Hoang Thuy Tien # 2 3, Abdelrahman M Makram # 1 2 4, Nguyen Thanh Van 2 5, Trang Thi Bich Le 2 6, Tamilarasy Vasanthakumaran 2 5, Nguyen Tien Huy 7

PMID: 35862247

DOI: 10.1002/hep.32682

Abstract

Since April 2022, the world has been witnessing a rapidly spreading outbreak of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children <16 years that has affected several countries around the world. Most of the cases presented with the clinical picture of severe hepatitis that has led to resorting to liver transplantation in several cases. Despite the numerous theories that have been suggested on the possible underlying etiologies of the outbreak, an association with hepatitis A-E viruses and a link to COVID-19 vaccines have been excluded. Adenovirus serotype 41 has been detected in numerous cases, which makes it the most likely underlying cause of the disease. Nevertheless, other hypotheses are being investigated to justify the severity of the clinical picture which is not typical of this type of virus. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the outbreak, highlight the suggested working hypotheses, and report the public health measures undertaken to tackle the outbreak.