Prolonged hepatitis due to hepatitis A virus infection in children

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nandi, Madhumita | Mondal, Rakesh | Datta, Supratim | Chowdhury, Abhijit

Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India | Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India

Note: [] Correspondence: Madhumita Nandi, MD, 6/6, Naren Sarkar Road, Barisha, Kolkata-700008, West Bengal, India. Tel.: +824 943 3166790; E-mail: madhumitabanik@rediffmail.com

Abstract: Hepatitis A virus infection may remain asymptomatic, especially in children, or it may cause acute self- limiting hepatitis of few weeks duration. Rarely, it may also cause fulminant hepatitis or relapsing hepatitis or prolonged cholestasis of few months duration. We describe five children admitted to a tertiary care centre with features of acute severe hepatitis due to hepatitis A virus infection who on follow up for 6 months showed persistent biochemical abnormalities. We also review the existing literature on prolonged hepatitis A virus infection.

Keywords: Hepatitis A virus, infection, prolonged hepatitis, children

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 63-67, 2008