A lack of exposure to a common virus during Covid restrictions could be behind the surge in hepatitis cases among young children, experts have suggested.
Health officials are urgently investigating a rise in cases. Since the start of the year, 111 children have had hepatitis (liver inflammation), with the majority of cases occurring among children under the age of five.
Of the confirmed cases, 81 were in England, 14 in Scotland, 11 in Wales and five in Northern Ireland. Ten children have received a liver transplant, however no children have died in the UK. A small number over the age of 10 are being investigated.
