Deaths Associated with Pediatric Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology, United States, October 2021-June 2023

We describe demographic and clinical characteristics, including potential involvement of adenovirus in development of acute hepatitis, of 8 fatally ill children who met reporting criteria. The children had diverse courses of illness. Two children were immunocompromised when initially brought for care. Four children tested positive for adenovirus in multiple specimen types, including 2 for whom typing was completed. One adenovirus-positive child had no known underlying conditions, supporting a potential relationship between adenovirus and acute hepatitis in previously healthy children. Our findings emphasize the importance of continued investigation to determine the mechanism of liver injury and appropriate treatment. Testing for adenovirus in similar cases could elucidate the role of the virus.PMID:38526164 | DOI:10.3201/eid3004.231140
Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Source Type: research