Acute Symptomatic Infectious Hepatitis in Hospitalised Children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Acute Symptomatic Infectious Hepatitis in Hospitalised Children
IRAS ID
114805
Contact name
Shamez Ladhani
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Public Health England
Research summary
Children with inflammation of the liver (acute hepatitis) can become very unwell with fever, jaundice, abdominal pain and vomiting. In some children, the condition can be severe enough to cause liver failure and the need for liver transplant. Most childhood acute hepatitis cases are caused by viruses such as hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses, although other viruses and bacteria can also be responsible. In some countries such as the United States, infants are routinely vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. In the UK, these vaccines are not routinely used because hepatitis A and B infections are considered to be rare. In the Republic of Ireland, however, babies are routinely vaccinated against hepatitis B but not hepatitis A. This study has been developed by specialist doctors who look after children with serious infectious and with liver disease to find out how may children develop acute infectious hepatitis. We are particularly interested in finding out how many children develop infections that might be prevented through vaccination. We are also interested in understanding what problems children have when they are diagnosed, what tests are performed, how long they stay in hospital, what treatments they receive and whether they completely recover from their illness or have any continuing health problems after 6 months. By comparing cases that are reported by paediatricians through the BPSU with national reporting systems, we will also be able to find out how accurate our current surveillance system is for the hepatitis viruses. We hope that the results of our study will increase awareness of the condition among doctors and the public, help improve the way we look after children with acute infectious hepatitis and develop national strategies to prevent such cases occurring in the first place through, for example, routine immunisation.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EE/0392
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion