The cases of severe hepatitis in children have increased across the world, and some experts believe that they may be close to figuring out what is happening. Just as the world is trying to get ahead of a global pandemic, parents are faced with another mysterious illness that is causing severe illness and even death in children. The cases of hepatitis in children started in the UK, but it has quickly spread across the world, and it has impacted children in the US and Canada. Cases are popping up, and they are leading children to need liver transplants, and some cases have been fatal.
This means that experts are racing to try and figure out what is going on. According to WebMD, a study that was done in the UK has been shown to be “key” to understanding what is going on. Experts believe that what may be going on is the Adenovirus.
Adenovirus are DNA viruses that are commonly seen in the respiratory system, and this has been the most commonly linked illness seen in the children who are presenting with hepatitis. However, scientists still have not ruled out other causes, like COVID-19.
Scientists in the UK are working on a case-control study that compares the detection rate of adenovirus in children in and out of the hospital. Researchers state that this will really help them settle down on a single cause, and this can help them get to a prevention and treatment plan.
At this stage, adenovirus is not usually associated with liver problems, but it still remains to be the common thread linking all the children who have fallen ill with hepatitis and required hospitalization. However, there is still a long way to go.
According to The Guardian, the cause still remains a huge mystery, and while they may have some theories, that is all they remain to be – theories.
Experts are still stating that despite the work that is being done in the UK, they still state that it is too soon to tell what is behind this mysterious illness. Not only that, but the information is changing almost by the minute, which can make it hard for them to narrow down on a cause. They have described it as trying to find the pieces they need to connect the puzzle, but it is taking them some time, but they are constantly working on trying to figure out what is going on.
Sources: WebMD, The Guardian