Wisconsin Probes 4 Mystery Child Hepatitis Cases
Wisconsin health officials are investigating four cases of severe hepatitis in children with no clear cause. The mystery illness is part of a broader pattern being tracked nationally.
The affected children all developed sudden liver inflammation without the usual explanations. Standard hepatitis viruses A through E came back negative. The cause remains unknown.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on the state investigation and CDC involvement.
Similar cases have appeared in other states and countries. The UK initially flagged the unusual cluster. Now health departments everywhere are looking for patterns.
Medical mysteries like this require careful epidemiological work to solve. It takes time to identify what patients have in common.
The leading theory involves adenovirus a common cold virus that usually causes mild illness. Some researchers think it might be triggering severe liver reactions in certain children possibly those with weakened immune systems from pandemic isolation.
Parents should watch for symptoms like yellowing skin dark urine and abdominal pain. Most childhood illnesses resolve on their own but liver involvement is serious enough to warrant medical attention.
Health officials emphasize this remains rare. A handful of cases out of millions of children. But rare doesnt mean unimportant especially to the families affected.
Investigation April 2022
