Abstract
Our clinical experience showed that there has been no decrease in pediatric cases of acute viral hepatitis in Kathmandu. The objective of the study was to analyze the etiology, clinical features, laboratory parameters, sonological findings and other to determine the probable prognostic factors of Acute Viral Hepatitis in pediatric population. Consecutive patients of suspected Acute Viral Hepatitis, below the age of 15 years, attending the liver clinic between January 2006 and December 2010 were studied. After clinical examination they were subjected to blood tests and ultrasound examination of abdomen. The patients were divided in 3 age groups; 0-5, 5-10 and 5-15 years. Clinical features, laboratory parameters, ultrasound findings were compared in three age groups. Etiology of Acute Viral Hepatitis was Hepatitis A virus 266 (85%), Hepatitis E virus in 24 (8%), Hepatitis B virus in 15 (5%). In 7(2%) patients etiology was unknown. Three patients went to acute liver failure but improved with conservative treatment. There was no statistical difference in most of the parameters studied in different age groups. Ascites was more common in 5-10 years age group. Patients with secondary bacterial infection, ultrasound evidence of prominent biliary tree and ascites were associated with increased duration of illness. Patients with history of herbal medications had prolonged cholestasis. Hepatitis A is most common cause of Acute Viral Hepatitis in pediatric population. Improper use of herbal medications, secondary bacterial infection and faulty dietary intake was associated with prolonged illness. Patients with prominent biliary radicals should be treated with antibiotics even with normal blood counts for earlier recovery.
Highlights
Our clinical experience showed that there has been no decrease in pediatric cases of acute viral hepatitis in Kathmandu
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is common among adult population, while hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is common in younger age group
This study was aimed to analyze the etiology of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) in pediatric population, its clinical features, laboratory parameters, sonological findings and other possible factors to determine the probable prognostic factors of AVH in this age group
Summary
Our clinical experience showed that there has been no decrease in pediatric cases of acute viral hepatitis in Kathmandu. The objective of the study was to analyze the etiology, clinical features, laboratory parameters, sonological findings and other to determine the probable prognostic factors of Acute Viral Hepatitis in pediatric population. In India, HAV has been identified as the common etiological agent forsporadic AVH, especially in the pediatric age group.[1] In Nepal all forms of viral hepatitis are seen throughout the year. This study was aimed to analyze the etiology of AVH in pediatric population, its clinical features, laboratory parameters, sonological findings and other possible factors to determine the probable prognostic factors of AVH in this age group
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