Hepatitis in Children | Western Sydney University

University:
Western Sydney University
Course:
MEDI 2003 | Clinical Sciences 2
Academic year:

2024
Views:

244

Pages:

1
Author:

Mariam A. A.

Hepatitis in Children Type Cause & Transmission Symptoms Hepatitis A Fecal-oral (contaminated food/water, poor hygiene) Mild in children; fever, nausea, Anti-HAV IgM vomiting, jaundice, serology dark urine, pale stools Hepatitis B Blood/body fluids (birth, needles, sexual contact) Often asymptomatic; fatigue, jaundice, joint pain HBsAg, HBsAb, Antivirals for chronic cases; liver function tests regular monitoring Universal vaccination at birth + HBIG for exposed infants Hepatitis C Blood-borne (vertical transmission, needles) Often asymptomatic; fatigue, jaundice, nausea Anti-HCV Direct-acting antivirals (e.g. antibodies + HCV sofosbuvir/velpatasvir); safe RNA PCR from age 3+ No vaccine; avoid blood exposure; screen infants born to HCV+ mothers Hepatitis D More severe than Blood/body fluids; HBV alone; only occurs in jaundice, fatigue, HBV-infected nausea, dark urine, individuals joint pain Anti-HDV antibodies, HDV RNA PCR Bulevirtide (new therapy); interferon (limited efficacy); lifelong specialist follow-up Prevent HBV via vaccination; no separate HDV vaccine Hepatitis E Fecal-oral; contaminated water, undercooked pork; rare in Australia Often asymptomatic Anti-HEV in children; fever, antibodies; travel nausea, jaundice, history dark urine Supportive care; no specific antiviral; monitor in pregnancy No vaccine in Australia; hygiene; avoid undercooked pork/liver Hepatitis G (GBV-C) Blood-borne; transfusion, IV drug use; rare in children Usually asymptomatic; unclear clinical significance PCR testing? No established treatment; often self-limiting Blood safety; avoid needle sharing; no vaccine Fatigue, jaundice, joint pain, rash, hepatomegaly, nausea, dark urine, pale stools, spider naevi Autoantibodies (ANA, SMA, LKM), liver biopsy, liver function tests Immunosuppressants: Prednisolone (high dose initially), Azathioprine; longterm specialist follow-up; liver transplant in severe cases No vaccine; early diagnosis and treatment essential; regular monitoring Immune system Autoimmune attacks liver cells; Hepatitis unknown trigger (AIH) (possibly viral or drug-related) Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Supportive care; hydration, rest Vaccine (2 doses); hygiene; recommended for Aboriginal children in QLD, NT, WA, SA