The recent outbreak of acute severe hepatitis in children of unknown origin - what is known so far

At the beginning of April 2022, 10 cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children <10 years of age were reported across central Scotland. Since then, case numbers have increased rapidly, with 191 probable cases identified across Europe, the United States of America, Israel and Japan. Until now, 17 children required liver transplantation and 1 died. Accordingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the European Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control have both issued a warning on a hepatitis of unknown origin in children. This review focuses on the available information concerning this recent outbreak and introduces some of the potential explanations for its development. (C) 2022 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In early April 2022, 10 cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children <10 years old were reported in central Scotland. Since then, the number of cases has rapidly increased, with 191 probable cases identified in Europe, the United States, Israel, and Japan. So far, 17 children have required liver transplantation and 1 has died. This review focuses on providing available information about this recent outbreak and discussing potential explanations for its development.