Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Study of clinical spectrum of hepatitis A in children at a tertiary hospital

Main Article Content

Virender Kumar

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis A is one of the highly communicable diseases of mankind and remains one of the most common forms of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Children with HAV most commonly present with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms in addition to fever. Present study was aimed to study clinical spectrum of hepatitis A in children at a tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: Present study was single-center, prospective, observational study, conducted in patients of age 0-14 years, either gender, with signs and symptoms of acute viral hepatitis with positive HAV IgM. Results: In present study, 100 children admitted with signs and symptoms of acute viral hepatitis (loss of appetite, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, pain abdomen and itching), with positive HAV IgM were included. Majority children were from 6-10 years age group (45 %), followed by ≤5 years age group (39 %) & 11-14 years age group (16 %). Mean age was 8.1 ± 3.9 years. Male (57 %) children were more as compared to Female (43 %). Common clinical manifestations noted were fever (79 %), loss of appetite (78 %), yellowness of the eyes (71 %), dark-colored urine (70 %), abdominal pain (61 %), vomiting (47 %) & nausea (45 %). Mean levels of various laboratory parameters were TLC (18,452 ± 6,345 /μL), total Bilirubin (2.6 ± 1.7 mg/dL), conjugated Bilirubin (2.1 ± 1.6 mg/dL), alanine Transaminase (ALT) (106 ± 71 IU/ml), aspartate transaminase (AST) (210 ± 98 IU/ml), albumin (3.9 ± 1.3 mg/dL) & prothrombin Time (14.6 ± 3.1 secs). Conclusion: Hepatitis A is one of the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in pediatrics population. Common clinical manifestations noted were fever, loss of appetite, yellowness of the eyes, dark-colored urine, abdominal pain, vomiting & nausea.

Article Details