Hepatitis E versus hepatitis A virus as a possible cause of acute hepatitis in children

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is transmitted via the orofecal route and has a global distinction. However, the true incidence of hepatitis A is often underestimated because of underreporting as a result of its widely asymptomatic and milder forms of infection. Thus, the epidemiologic pattern of HAV in a given country is indicated primarily by its seroprevalence and only secondarily by disease incidence. The epidemiology of HAV is highly correlated with age and level of hygiene.Hepatitis E, the major form of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis, is caused by Hepatitis E Virus (HEV). HEV is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route. Hepatitis E virus is responsible for majority of sporadic and epidemic cases of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries.The aim of this work is to highlight on hepatitis E and hepatitis A viruses as a cause of acute hepatitis in children in our community.This study was conducted in the pediatric outpatient clinic, Zagazig University Hospitals and in Zagazig Fever Hospital. Subjects included in the study was subdivided into two groups:Group I: 35 Cases were required to meet the clinical case definition for acute hepatitis and virus-specific laboratory criteria for diagnosis.Group II: Twenty apparently healthy children (age- and sex matched) will be tested for hepatitis A IgM and hepatitis E IgM for possible positivity without acute symptoms.Other causes of acute hepatitis (e.g. durgs, metabolic, protozoal, etc…) will be excluded.