‘The Cases of Severe Hepatitis Are Increasing Among Children’: Armen Muradyan

Cases of acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin are increasing among children. This was stated by Armen Muradyan, rector of Yerevan State Medical University, on his Facebook page.

“The ‘Heratsi’ analytical center, in collaboration with the infectious disease department of the ‘Muratsan’ hospital complex, has summarized the currently known facts regarding the cases of acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin observed among children. On April 5 of this year, the United Kingdom reported to the World Health Organization about cases of acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin among previously healthy children under the age of 10.

About a month after the first cases, as of May 5, 2022, approximately 95 cases of the disease were registered in 15 European Union countries, with another 145 cases reported in the United Kingdom. The disease has also been recorded in the USA and Israel.

The characteristic symptoms of acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin include gastrointestinal disturbances, followed by jaundice (in 74% of cases), vomiting (in 73% of cases), changes in stool color (in 58% of cases), diarrhea (in 49% of cases), and nausea (in 39.5% of cases).

Currently, several working hypotheses regarding the etiology of the disease are under investigation by scientists, including: 1. Factors that contribute to more severe presentations of common mild adenoviral infections or lead to immunopathology in young children: a) altered susceptibility to infections due to low incidence of seasonal infections during lockdown; b) previously circulating or associated coronavirus infection; c) toxins, medications, or environmental factors; 2. A new type of adenovirus infection, and so on.

In this context, it is important to note that the frequency of occurrence of cases is extremely low, investigations into their etiology are ongoing, and even if adenoviral infection plays a role, the disease likely does not possess human-to-human transmissible characteristics.

Nevertheless, to maintain vigilance, parents are advised not to self-medicate when children exhibit the aforementioned symptoms but to seek immediate consultation with specialists. Strict adherence to hygiene practices (handwashing, respiratory hygiene, etc.) that contribute to the prevention of the spread of various infections is also recommended,” wrote Muradyan.

He emphasized the importance of following information from official or reputable sources, as publications found on social networks often lack scientific evidence and, in some cases, are evidently false.