CLINICAL PROFILE OF CHILDREN ADMITTED WITH HEPATITIS A AND E.

Dr. Arun Kumar Rathod*, Dr. Ashok Bhattar and Dr. S. Naidu

ABSTRACT

Acute viral hepatitis is major health problem in developing country like India. Acute viral hepatitis occur as both epidemic and endemic forms predominately caused by five type of hepatotropic viruses. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted by feco-oral route whereas hepatitis B, D and C are transmitted through parenteral route. It is prospective hospital based cross sectional study conducted among the children less than 18 yrs. who presented with acute hepatitis. Study was conducted over a period of 1year from November 2018 to October 2019. Detailed history and clinical examination was done to obtain relevant data for the study. Serum was tested for bilirubin and aminotransferase levels in Erba-2 analyser. Tests for Anti Hepatitis A virus Ig M and anti Hepatitis E virus IgM were done. Among 115 cases 53(46%) were male and 62 (54%) were female. Incidence was slightly higher among female. 86 (75%) cases were having infection with hepatitis A, 17 (15%) hepatitis E and 12 (10%) cases were having combined both hepatitis A and E infections. Common presenting complaints were, loss of appetite followed by vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. Visible icterus was seen in 52 cases. Complications were seen in the form of gastrointestinal bleed in 16(14%) patients, pleural effusion in 2 cases and anaemia in 25 (21%) cases. One patient developed aplastic anaemia and 2 children could not survive. Hepatitis A and E are common cause of preventable hepatitis with good prognosis. These can be preventable with good sanitization and awareness among the population.

Keywords: children, hepatitis A, hepatitis E, complications.