Rise in sudden hepatitis among children - symptoms to watch for, what to do if your child is ill, and the link to Covid-19

There has been a notable rise in the number of sudden onset hepatitis among children aged 10 and under since the start of this year, UK health experts have announced. The increase has prompted health officials to share the symptoms families should look out for, what parents should do if their child is ill, and what people can do to avoid hepatitis.

Acute (sudden onset) hepatitis is a condition that affects the liver and can be caused by infection with a virus, according to the UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ). However, the viruses that normally cause hepatitis (hepatitis viruses A to E) have not been found in the children affected recently.

Other possible causes of acute hepatitis, including some medications and toxins that are being investigated, but so far a link has not been found. The UKHSA and the NHS combined have not yet found the cause of the soar in cases.

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The viruses that normally cause hepatitis (hepatitis viruses A- E) have not been found in the children affected by the recent increase in acute hepatitis, therefore public health teams are looking at all other possible causes, says the UKHSA. One area being explored is whether the hepatitis cases are linked to an increase in infections caused by adenovirus, a common cause of childhood illness.

Over the last two years, children have been mixing less because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and because of this the number of common infections seen in children was reduced. Now that children are mixing more, there is an increase in some infections, including adenovirus.

The UKHSA experts say they are also investigating other possible causes such as another infection