Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of Children with Hepatitis A Infection

Abstract

Background
Hepatitis A is the most common cause of infectious hepatitis among children in India. It consists of 3 phases- Prodromal phase, Icteric phase, and Recovery phase. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is widespread accounting for high incidence in our community. The current study intends to assess different clinical and biochemical parameters of HAV infection in our community.
Methods
A single-centered cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 patients attending the outpatient department and in-patient department at ASCOMS and Hospital Jammu, with symptoms suggestive of Acute Viral Hepatitis, was done from April 2024 to August 2024.
Results
HAV infection was more common in males (64%) and mostly among the age group of 12-15 years (28%). The most common symptom was fever (92%) and the biochemical parameter was raised serum bilirubin (94%). Ultrasonography findings were gall bladder edema, pericholecystic edema, minimal free fluid, and minimal right-sided pleural effusion, either of which were seen in only 46% of patients.
Conclusions
Hepatitis A is a major health problem due to bad hygiene and sanitary practices and lack of immunization. Clinically, the most common symptom of Hepatitis A infection was fever (92%). In terms of biochemical parameters, the most consistently raised bilirubin (>1mg/dl) is seen in 94% of the cases.