The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring growing cases of hepatitis in children across the UK – some of which were detected in Tayside.
On April 5, WHO was notified of 10 cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown cause in children under the age of 10 years old across central Scotland.
Three days later 74 cases had been identified in the United Kingdom.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) chiefs were also made aware of the cases of hepatitis – an 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 reported the “non A to E hepatitis” cases mostly in March, including Tayside, Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow, Clyde and Fife.
According to the WHO, lab tests have excluded the usual viruses that cause hepatitis.
As of April 11, no deaths from hepatitis had been recorded, though some children had been transferred to specialist liver units.
One epidemiologically-linked case has been detected, which means a patient has had contact with one or more people who either have or had the disease, or have been exposed to a point source of infection.
Officials stressed there was “no link” between the cases and the COVID-19 vaccine, as none of the children affected by hepatitis had received a jab.
Other explanations being investigated include whether or not COVID could have played a role in the unusual spate of cases.
The WHO awaits the results of further tests for infections, chemicals and toxins.
A WHO spokesperson said: “Clinical and public health response has been implemented across the United Kingdom to coordinate case finding with investigation into the cause of illness in these cases.
“Further investigations by the national authorities are ongoing to include more detailed exposure history, toxicology testing, and additional virological/microbiological tests.
“Guidance has been issued to experts to support a thorough investigation of suspected cases.
“Further investigations and a clinical and public health response to the cases reported are also being undertaken in Ireland and Spain.”
Every year there are normally seven or eight cases of non A to E hepatitis, without other underlying diagnoses, detected in children in Scotland.
Sometimes referred to as hepatitis X, it is a disease that is diagnosed when there is swelling of the liver, with symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea, but examination and testing does not identify a cause.
The high number of cases in such a short period has sparked concern for PHS and WHO.
