Surveillance for severe acute hepatitis of unknown cause in pediatric patients with suspected acute hepatitis

Abstract

Background: the surveillance of hepatitis of unknown cause and the basic precautionary measures continue to be the best tools to prevent the development of serious symptoms of the disease.

Objective: to characterize patients in surveillance for acute hepatitis of unknown cause hospitalized with clinical suspicion of acute hepatitis, in the Provincial Pediatric Teaching Hospital "Dr. Eduardo Agramonte Piña", in Camagüey, between May and September 2022.

Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional observational study was performed in the hospital and over the period of time previously defined. The universe was the 25 patients with epidemiological survey and clinical history. The variables studied were: age groups, sex, risk factors, signs and symptoms, liver function, laboratory values and results from molecular studies.

Results: more than half were ten years of age or older, with a majority in those aged 15-18 (36 %). Males predominated (76 %), those who consumed water without boiling or chlorination (48 %) and street food (40 %). They presented high frequencies of several signs and symptoms: jaundice (96 %), fever (92 %), coluria (80 %) and abdominal pain (68 %). 64 % had pyruvic glutamic transaminase (TGP) < 500 U/L. In the nine patients with molecular study results, proven causes were identified, five with hepatitis A virus and one with hepatitis D. Conclusions: patients of pediatric age were characterized in surveillance of severe acute hepatitis of unknown cause, which progressed favorably to treatment, with hospital and epidemiological discharge.