Mysterious Hepatitis On Children, Recognize The Characteristics

Last April, the world was shocked by a case of mysterious hepatitis or acute hepatitis of unknown etiology. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there were 228 cases affecting children aged 1 month to 16 years. Similar cases were also found in Indonesia, where the Ministry of Health reported that there were 3 children in the Jakarta area who died with suspected acute hepatitis for which the cause was unknown. To date, there have been 70 cases of suspected mysterious acute hepatitis in Indonesia.

According to the 2018 Basic Health Research report, Indonesia itself is listed as an area with a hepatitis prevalence with a medium to high level of endemicity.

Hepatitis can cause death. Therefore, it is necessary to know the early symptoms or characteristics of this disease, so that appropriate action can be taken immediately, so as to minimize the deterioration that results in death. So, what are the characteristics of acute hepatitis that attacks children?
1. ) Symptoms of acute jaundice or jaundice syndrome
2. ) Stomach ache
3. ) Nauseous
4. ) Throws up
5. ) Diarrhea
6. ) Dark brown urine
7. ) Pale stools
8. ) Joint pain or aches
9. ) Tired and lethargic
10. ) Loss of appetite
11. ) Fever
12. ) Seizures
13. ) Loss of consciousness

Usually, children with these characteristics and leading to acute hepatitis, will show the results of laboratory tests to check liver or liver function in the form of Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) or Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT), more than 500 U/L . This means that the level of liver enzymes is so high that it can be a sign of inflammation or liver damage.

If the child has mild symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and frequent urination and defecation, immediately consult a doctor and take the child to the nearest health facility, do not wait until the child has severe symptoms because the treatment and treatment will also be more complex, such as liver grafts. The type of treatment and treatment hepatitis accounts for will depend on the patient's symptoms, age, and overall health.

You can consult a pediatrician, or visit the nearest clinic and hospital. You can get these facilities through the mDoc application. Just download the application, and select the consultation or appointment menu according to what you need. Let's fight hepatitis as early as possible for better children's health.