National Surveillance of Pediatric Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology, Japan, October 2021-December 2022

Shogo Otake; Chiaki Ikenoue; Natsu Sudani; Miho Kobayashi; Kensuke Takahashi; Tomoe Shimada; Itsuro Yoshimi; Tomoya Saito; Tomimasa Sunagawa

doi:10.3201/eid2906.221579

National Surveillance of Pediatric Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology, Japan, October 2021-December 2022

Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Jun;29(6):1288-1291. doi: 10.3201/eid2906.221579.

Authors

Shogo Otake, Chiaki Ikenoue, Natsu Sudani, Miho Kobayashi, Kensuke Takahashi, Tomoe Shimada, Itsuro Yoshimi, Tomoya Saito, Tomimasa Sunagawa

Abstract

Pediatric acute hepatitis of unknown etiology has been reported globally since April 2022. In Japan, 139 possible cases with onset dates after October 2021 were reported as of December 2022. Three patients required liver transplants, but none died. Rates of adenovirus positivity (11/125, 9%) were lower than those for other countries.

Keywords: AHUE; COVID-19; Japan; acute hepatitis of unknown etiology; adenovirus infections; hepatitis; pediatrics; viruses.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acute Disease
Child
Hepatitis E virus*
Hepatitis* / epidemiology
Humans
Japan / epidemiology
Liver Transplantation*