In children in the US and UK, a sudden increase in the number of cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown causes (SAHUC) and pediatric acute liver failure was reported between October 2021 and May 2022. As of June 22, 2022, 920 cases of SAHUC were reported worldwide. The disease is of unknown origin, and at least 5% of the total number of cases required liver transplantation and 2% died. The affected children belonged to the age-group of 10 to 16 years or younger.
Severe acute hepatitis of unknown causes in children is on the rise. Why?
In children in the US and UK, a sudden increase in the number of cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown causes (SAHUC) and pediatric acute liver failure was reported between October 2021 and May 2022. As of June 22, 2022, 920 cases of SAHUC were reported worldwide. The disease is of unknown origin, and at least 5% of the total number of cases required liver transplantation and 2% died. The affected children belonged to the age-group of 10 to 16 years or younger.