Fatal Cases of ‘Hepatitis in Children of Unknown Origin’ Emerge Worldwide
In over four short months, more than 200 cases of acute hepatitis in children broke out in more than 20 countries around the world. And the causes have not yet been fully identified, making this a serious public health emergency. In April, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued separate notices to alert the public.- 90 percent of the children were severely ill and required hospitalization;
- 14 percent required liver transplantation;
- five died
All these children had severe hepatitis, with abnormally high levels of ALT (alanine transaminase), a marker of impaired hepatocyte functions.
Normal levels of ALT are less than 40 IU/L. Greater than 500 IU/L is a sign of severe disease, and most of these children had ALT levels above 2,000 IU/L.
How Do People Contract Hepatitis?
When hepatocellular damage occurs one first needs to rule out viral infection. And the common viruses that cause hepatitis include:- hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus)
Besides viruses, other causes of liver diseases include bacteria, parasites (e.g. schistosomes), genetics, metabolism, and alcoholic liver disease. After investigation, no supporting evidence for any of these causes was found.
Therefore, doctors are still investigating other viruses. Currently, the most suspected virus is adenovirus. In addition to adenovirus, the possibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virus cannot be completely ruled out, either.
During this outbreak, approximately 50 percent of the cases of hepatitis in children around the globe tested positive for adenovirus nucleic acid.
Let’s first learn more about the adenovirus.
There are more than 100 types of adenovirus, which usually cause mild respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.
In this investigation, children were found to be infected with adenovirus type 41, a double-stranded DNA virus with no envelope and only a nucleocapsid, which usually causes acute gastroenteritis in children. However, the virus is self-limiting, as it can be cured without treatment.
Israel’s 7 Cases Show a Link to SARS-CoV-2
The Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Israel analyzed seven cases of acute hepatitis in children and found that these children didn’t test positive for adenovirus. However, they had one thing in common. That is, they had all been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. By testing the sera of their family members, it was discovered that these children had all been exposed to an environment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.This is an alarming finding.
Other studies on the transmission route of the SARS-CoV-2 seem to provide a further hint that the “fragment components” of the virus, such as the spike proteins, may be transmitted through prolonged intimate family contact.
The human body has one type of small vesicle-like structure called exosomes that can transmit the virus. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that act as carriers of information between cells—like a logistics delivery system. In healthy individuals, exosomes transmit signals of health; but in unhealthy individuals, these exosomes transmit harmful substances and promote infection.
- Transmission of pathogen-associated molecules, viral RNA, and proteins (including spike proteins);
- Suppression of the immune response;
- Inducing apoptosis of immune cells
Data from the Israeli medical study showed that the seven children with hepatitis all had family members who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Their parents’ bodies carried exosomes that would induce inflammatory molecules, regardless of whether or not they showed obvious outward signs of infection. As a result of living together for a long time, with long and frequent intimate contact, such as kissing and hugging, spike protein, cytokines, and other pathogenic factors might have been transmitted to the children through saliva and/or other channels, leaving their immune cells in an unhealthy state.
SARS-CoV-2 Damages the Liver
It is already known that SARS-CoV-2 can cause damage to the lungs, heart, and brain.In fact, the ACE2 receptor of SARS-CoV-2 is also expressed on the surface of liver cells, and hepatocellular damage is one of the most common clinical features in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
The continuous stimulation of hepatocytes by the spike proteins may also cause hepatocyte damage. This study also found that 57 percent and 63 percent of patients requiring hospitalization for Covid-19 developed hepatic impairment.
Top 3 Causes of Acute Liver Injury in Children
A study published in the journal Children in 2020 discovered that there were three major causes of acute liver failure in children and adolescents.- 73 percent due to infectious factors
- 43 percent due to metabolic disorders factors
- 60 percent to 79 percent due to toxins
- Lowering the level of cellular production of interferons and inhibiting the antiviral state of cells;
- Inhibiting the functions of cellular mitochondria, which are the body’s energy base. And if the mitochondria of liver cells are damaged, then liver failure is likely to take place
These long-term negative stimuli can easily cause immunosuppression in children, which can lead to infections by other viruses, such as adenovirus.
- Immunological immaturity and imperfection in children;
- Family transmission due to their parents’ infection with SARS-CoV-2;
- Suppression of immune cells in children due to viral spike proteins;
- The children’s own factors
Can Parents’ Vaccination With mRNA Vaccines Affect the Children?
The most common vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, the mRNA vaccines, are more likely to produce spike proteins than the natural virus.Most of the children with acute hepatitis are under 5 years of age, and most of them have not been vaccinated. So theoretically, the hepatitis is not induced by the entry of the vaccine’s spike proteins into the body.
How to Prevent Hepatitis in Children
In the midst of the pandemic, the most important thing is to maintain a good state of mind, because stress and tension can also deplete the body’s immune system.The internal causes of diseases are the basis, and the external causes are the conditions. Covid-19 or vaccines are only external triggers. Not all children exposed to the virus will get severe hepatitis. Besides the environment, there are many other factors that contribute to the disease.
- Take the child outdoors more often to get some sunshine for vitamin D production;
- Add supplemental foods and reduce condiments;
- Avoid spoiled foods and food additives;
- Avoid pickled, smoked, spicy, fatty, and fried foods;
- Must cook seafood thoroughly, as it may contain parasites and/or germs;
- Be cautious with medication, as the metabolism of drugs needs to be carried out in the liver
- Don’t overuse antibiotics;
- Avoid heavy metal and fungal infections;
- Ensure regular, good quality sleep
The earliest sign of jaundice is in the eyes, where the white part of the eye turns yellow, so parents should carefully observe subtle changes in the color of their child’s eyes.
The most important thing is to remember that our body has self-healing power and immunity at all times. We should protect our immunity, so that we can protect our health by responding to all changes and threats.