Hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children - epidemiological overview of cases reported in Europe, 1 January to 16 June 2022

Published on 4 August 2022 Updated on 11 August 2026

Following the report of an excess in paediatric cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology by the United Kingdom (UK) on 5 April 2022, 427 cases were reported from 20 countries in the World Health Organization European Region to the European Surveillance System TESSy from 1 January 2022 to 16 June 2022. Here, we analysed demographic, epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data available in TESSy. Of the reported cases, 77.3% were 5 years or younger and 53.5% had a positive test for adenovirus, 10.4% had a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and 10.3% were coinfected with both pathogens. Cases with adenovirus infections were significantly more likely to be admitted to intensive care or high-dependency units (OR?=?2.11; 95% CI: 1.18-3.74) and transplanted (OR?=?3.36; 95% CI: 1.19-9.55) than cases with a negative test result for adenovirus, but this was no longer observed when looking at this association separately between the UK and other countries. Aetiological studies are needed to ascertain if adenovirus plays a role in this possible emergence of hepatitis cases in children and, if confirmed, the mechanisms that could be involved.

Author(s): Romaní Vidal Adriana, Vaughan Aisling, Innocenti Francesco, Colombe Soledad, Nerlander Lina, Rachwal Natalia, Ciancio Bruno Christian, Mougkou Aikaterini, Carvalho Carlos, Delgado Enrique, Mook Piers, de Muylder Géraldine, Peeters Michael, Tenev Tencho, Golkocheva-Markova Elitsa, Vorobieva Solholm Jensen Veronika, Koch Anders, Figoni Julie, Brouard Cécile, Nikolopoulou Georgia, Zisouli Anastasia, Murphy Niamh, Broderick Annemarie, Goldberg Lital, Rich Rivka, Hecht Sagie Lior, Tosti Maria Elena, Suligoi Barbara, Joosten Rosa, Pijnacker Roan, Fjeldheim Ingvild, Heen Eli, Stepien Malgorzata, Polanski Piotr, Tato Marinho Rui, Vieira Martins João, Varela Carmen, Avellón Ana, Andersson Emmi, Jansson Mörk Marie, Mandal Sema, Watson Conall, Coughlan Laura, Chand Meera, Neill Claire, Bradley Declan T, Li Kathy, O'Leary Maureen, McInnes Neil, Williams Christopher J, Moore Catherine, Gjini Ardiana, Duffell Erika, Pebody Richard, FIGONI Julie

Publishing year: 2022

Pages: 15-21

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