All you should know about hepatitis for your baby!

Hepatitis relates to an inflammation of the liver cells and damage to the liver. Hepatitis is a cause of a viral infection in which the liver is either infected primarily by Hepatitis A, B, C, D or E viruses or as a part of multi-organ infection. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also lead to hepatitis.

The liver conducts all important functions like detoxifying the blood, absorbing vitamins and producing hormones. Hepatitis can break up these processes and create terrible health problems for the body.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis in a child?
Symptoms can happen a bit differently in each child. Some children don't have any symptoms. Symptoms of sudden (acute) hepatitis may include:

Flu-like symptoms

• Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain or discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Joint pain
• Sore muscles
• Itchy red hives on the skin
• Clay-coloured stools
• Dark-coloured urine

If a child is diagnosed with Hepatitis, the treatment as prescribed by the doctor should be properly followed.

Also Read: University Grants Commission calls for spreading awareness on hepatitis

Types of Hepatitis

To help you understand better Dr Shreya Dubey, Consultant, Neonatology and Paediatrics, CK Birla Hospital for Women have listed below various hepatitis

Hepatitis A virus: HAV is the most common type of hepatitis in children. It is usually transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. Certain sex practises can also spread HAV. Infections are in many cases mild, with most people making a full recovery and remaining immune from further HAV infections. Most children of age 6 years and younger do not have any symptoms. This means that your child could have the disease, and you may not know it. This can make it easy to spread the disease among young children. Most people in areas of the world with poor sanitation have been infected with this virus. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HAV.

Hepatitis B virus: HBV in most children the virus multiplies slowly and persists in the body, causing slow but progressive liver damage. This state is known as the chronic carrier state; his or her liver and blood have no signs of disease. A chronic carrier can still pass the disease on to others, even if they have no symptoms. Most children who acquire the infection at birth or soon after becoming chronic carriers. The virus is commonly commuted through exposure to infected semen, infected blood and other body fluids. This virus can also be passed on from an infected mother to infants at the time of birth. It is important for children to receive hepatitis B vaccinations. This consists of three injections over a six-month period. Protection is not complete without all three injections. If you are diagnosed with the virus during pregnancy you should be sure that your baby gets a shot called H-B-I-G and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. Your baby should get the second dose at one to two months and the third shot at six months.

Hepatitis C virus: HCV Most kids get it when they are newborns. If your child wasn't born with hepatitis C but got the illness in the later years, it is likely transmitted through direct contact of HCV -infected blood, septic injections during medical procedures or through injection of an illicit drug. There is no vaccine for HCV at present. Hepatitis C usually goes away without treatment and appropriate diet.

Hepatitis D virus: HDV infections pass off only in those who are infected with HBV. A mother who is infected with hepatitis D virus can pass the infection to her newborn during birth. The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in knockout disease with a dangerous outcome. Hepatitis D can be prevented, in most cases, by ensuring your child receives the hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis E virus: HEV vertical transmission from a pregnant woman to her baby is possible. The virus in kids can be transmitted through the intake of contaminated water or food as well. HEV is a common cause of hepatitis occurrence in underdeveloped parts of the world. It is important to always wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or before preparing and eating food. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation help prevent the spread of hepatitis E. There is no vaccine to prevent transmission.

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