A small number of hepatitis cases have been detected in young children across Scotland's central belt, Public Health Scotland (PHS) has said.
Health chiefs are aware of 11 cases of hepatitis - inflammation of the liver - identified in children aged between one and five years old who have been admitted to hospital across the central belt.
Four NHS Health Board areas in Scotland have reported the cases mostly in March, including; Lanarkshire, Tayside, GGC, and Fife.
As yet, there is no clear connection between the cases or clear cause, and the hepatitis viruses commonly associated with this condition have been excluded.
Every year there are normally seven or eight cases of non A to E hepatitis, without other underlying diagnoses, detected in children in Scotland.
But the prevalence of the number of cases in such a short period of time has sparked concern for PHS, as well as the geographical spread and severity of illness, in some cases, is unusual and requires further investigation.
PHS say all potential causes are being explored but infection is considered to be a more probable source this time.
Investigations are still in the early stages and work is ongoing with partners and other agencies across the UK to investigate these cases.
Dr Nicholas Phin, Director of Public Health for Public Health Scotland said: “If you have a child who is showing signs of jaundice, where the skin has a yellow tinge and is most easily seen in the whites of the eyes, then parents should contact their GP or other Health Care professional.
"We are continuing to investigate these cases and will provide further updates as and when they are available.”
