Comparative Analysis of Hepatitis E and A in Children: Clinical Manifestations and Epidemiological Patterns in Kyrgyzstan

Introduction: Viral hepatitis E (HEV) poses a significant global healthchallenge with limited research on its impact on children. Thisretrospective study aimed to identify the clinical and laboratory featuresof HEV in children and compare them with those of hepatitis A virus(HAV) infections in the Kyrgyz Republic.Methods: Clinical and laboratory data from children diagnosed with HEV(n=31) and HAV (n=42) at the three regional hospitals were analyzed.Results: HEV cases were predominantly male (74.1%), aged 1-5 years(42%), and from rural areas (77.4%), while HAV showed no significantgender or urban-rural disparity. HEV patients experienced a more severeclinical course, with 13% classified as severe compared with 4.7% of HAVcases. HEV infection resulted in prolonged symptom duration duringthe pre-jaundice and jaundice phases, with longer periods of fever,weakness, decreased appetite, vomiting, and abdominal pain (P<0.05).Blood biochemistry revealed higher total and indirect bilirubin levelsin HEV patients (P<0.05) and lower total protein levels in severe HEVcases (P<0.05). The mean hospitalization duration was longer for HEV(17.2±1.3 days) than HAV (12.7±1.2 days; P<0.05).Conclusion: The study found the clinical manifestations of childrenwith HEV were severe and longer in duration as compared to childrenwith HAV. These findings highlight the importance of timely diagnosisof HEV and preventive measures, particularly in rural areas. How to cite this article:Tashov K, Anarbaeva J, Murzakulova A,Abdyraeva B, Tashpolotova A, Abdikerimov M,Djumagulova A, Mambetova M, SuranbaevaG, Vityala Y. Comparative Analysis of HepatitisE and A in Children: Clinical Manifestationsand Epidemiological Patterns in Kyrgyzstan. JCommun Dis. 2025;57(1):65-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202507