Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Usually, this rarely occurs – especially in the Global North – and runs smoothly with competent medical treatment.
But last year there was a wave of children’s hepatitis, which caused many parents to worry. In July, the WHO announced that over 1,000 children had developed hepatitis. The “small pandemic” of hepatitis spread to 35 countries.
More than 30 children have required liver transplants, and 22 patients have even died from the disease. Scientific research is now providing some insight as to why this might have happened.
This mysterious and massive occurrence of childhood hepatitis has been investigated by various studies. These were published in the magazine “Nature” and show that the researchers see a connection to the adeno-associated virus 2. This virus was found in high concentrations in the sick children.
What is surprising regarding this is that it was actually assumed that this virus cannot cause diseases. Accordingly, the studies assume possible “helper viruses” that contribute to the severity of hepatitis.
The studies also do not rule out that this wave of hepatitis in children might be a consequence of the corona virus. After all, this occurred immediately following the relaxation of the corona measures.
Frank Tacke from the Berlin Charité explains to the news portal “Science.orf.at”: “It might be an unintended consequence of what we have experienced in the last two to three years of the pandemic.”
The wave of hepatitis has now subsided. Nevertheless, it is recommended to continue to adhere to the hygiene regulations, the heads of the studies say.
