Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of Children with Hepatitis A Infection

Background Hepatitis A is the most common cause of infectious hepatitis among children in India. It consists of 3 phases- Prodromal phase, Icteric phase, and Recovery phase. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is widespread accounting for high incidence in our community. The current study intends to assess different clinical and biochemical parameters of HAV infection in our community.MethodsA single-centered cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 patients attending the outpatient department and in-patient department at ASCOMS and Hospital Jammu, with symptoms suggestive of Acute Viral Hepatitis, was done from April 2024 to August 2024.ResultsHAV infection was more common in males (64%) and mostly among the age group of 12-15 years (28%). The most common symptom was fever (92%) and the biochemical parameter was raised serum bilirubin (94%). Ultrasonography findings were gall bladder edema, pericholecystic edema, minimal free fluid, and minimal right-sided pleural effusion, either of which were seen in only 46% of patients.Conclusions Hepatitis A is a major health problem due to bad hygiene and sanitary practices and lack of immunization. Clinically, the most common symptom of Hepatitis A infection was fever (92%). In terms of biochemical parameters, the most consistently raised bilirubin (>1mg/dl) is seen in 94% of the cases.