Hepatitis

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Over time, it can destroy liver cells and harm the liver. Hepatitis in children is usually caused by a virus.

Hepatitis in children can be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis can last up to six months, while chronic hepatitis lasts six months or longer. In some cases, acute hepatitis can turn into chronic hepatitis.

Over time, chronic hepatitis can lead to liver failure.

What are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis?

Some children with hepatitis have no symptoms or mild symptoms, while others may have more severe symptoms.

Some common symptoms of acute hepatitis may include:

• Jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
• Dark urine
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms
• Stomach pain
• Joint pain
• Lack of appetite

When children have chronic hepatitis, symptoms may also include:

• Feeling tired
• Itchiness
• Swelling in the legs and stomach
• Easy bruising or bleeding

What causes hepatitis?

Hepatitis in children is usually caused by a virus. There are five main types of hepatitis virus, including hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis D and E are rare in the U.S.

• Hepatitis A is most often spread through eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with feces. It can also be spread through blood transfusions, but this is rare.
• Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood. Babies can get the virus from their mother during pregnancy and children can get the virus from other family members. Children who use blood products for a blood disease, such as hemophilia, and those on dialysis may also be at risk.
• Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood or during sex. It can also be spread to a baby from their mother.

There are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. These vaccines are recommended for all children. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Other viruses can also cause hepatitis in children. They include:

• Cytomegalovirus, a type of herpes virus
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Herpes simplex virus
• Varicella zoster virus (chickenpox)
• Enteroviruses, which include coxsackie viruses and echoviruses
• Rubella
• Adenovirus, a group of viruses that can cause ear infections, colds, and diarrhea.
• Parvovirus, also called fifth disease

In some cases, hepatitis in children is caused by an autoimmune disease that attacks the liver.

How is hepatitis treated?

Treatment for pediatric hepatitis will depend on what is causing the condition. Some children will not need any treatment and hepatitis will clear up on its own. Your team at Arkansas Children's is experienced in all types of hepatitis treatment in children and will work with you to come up with the best plan for your child. Options may include:

• Medicines to treat the virus or autoimmune disease or to control itching.
• A liver transplant may be needed if your child develops end-stage liver failure from the hepatitis.