Increase in severe acute hepatitis cases of unknown aetiology in children

As of 20 April 2022, 111 cases had been reported from the UK, and as of 27 April 2022 approximately 55 probable and confirmed cases have been reported from 12 EU/EEA countries. An additional 12 cases have been reported from the United States (US), 12 from Israel, and one from Japan. The clinical picture is of severe acute hepatitis requiring hospitalisation with jaundice and markedly elevated liver transaminases. In most cases to date, the onset of jaundice was preceded by a gastrointestinal illness with vomiting, diarrhoea, and nausea. Information on the outcome of the cases is still being collected. So far, most patients for whom information is available have recovered, but a number have progressed to acute liver failure and required liver transplantation.