As cases of pediatric hepatitis climb across the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its previous health alert on the threat with more recommendations for clinicians.
CDC says as of May 18, 36 states and territories had reported 180 pediatric cases of hepatitis. Nearly half of those patients have had adenovirus. CDC has reported six deaths. The agency continues to investigate a possible relationship between pediatric hepatitis and adenovirus.
The newest health alert, released May 5, reiterates CDC’s recommendation to consider adenovirus testing for patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology. It asks clinicians to consider testing several types of specimen collection from pediatric patients, if available, including:
- Blood;
- Respiratory;
- Stool specimen or rectal swab; and
- Liver tissue, if, for example, a biopsy was clinically indicated.
More information is available in the latest CDC health alert.
Last Updated On
May 25, 2022
Originally Published On
May 25, 2022