Clinico-epidemiological study and laboratory profile of acute viral hepatitis in children of the age group 6 months to 12 years admitted in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Viral hepatitis is a major public health issue throughout the world affecting millions of children despite the availability of vaccines, prophylactic measures and improved sanitation. The objective of the study was to determine the etiological profile of acute viral hepatitis in patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital, West Bengal, India.Methods: This prospective hospital-based study was done in, Midnapore Medical College, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India from February 2020 to July 2021. Children between 6 months to 12 years who presented with fever and prodromal symptoms, with or without jaundice, abdominal pain, high coloured urine, pale coloured stools with suspicion of acute viral hepatitis were included in the study. The data were statistically analysed using Microsoft excel and statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software.Results: Majority of the study subjects were from Lower middle class i.e. 59.6%. Only 34.6% regularly boiled water before consuming. Majority 44.2% of the subjects had history of practicing unhealthy eating practices which included not cleaning hands before eating. 66.7% subjects did not boiled water before consumption, 33.3% were involved in unhygienic food habits and 100% were using unhygienic sanitary practices. Prevalence of hepatitis A in our study was 96.2%. and hepatitis E was 5.8%. Prevalence of HAV IgM positive was 96.2%, prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) positive was 1.9% and prevalence of HEV IgM positive was 5.8%.Conclusions: Prevalence of hepatitis A in our study was 96.2%. Hence, HAV was the most common etiological factor causing acute viral hepatitis in children. It’s important to create awareness in the society regarding preventive measures like hygienic food practices and improved sanitation which is of utmost importance in its prevention.