Hepatitis types A, B, and non A--non B in childhood.
199 children with acute hepatitis hospitalized between 1968 and 1978 were tested for serological markers of hepatitis A and B infection. In 24 out of 28 HBsAg-positive patients, hepatitis B infection was diagnosed because of the disappearance of the antigen during convalescence. The histories of the 171 HBsAg-negative children suggested acute hepatitis A infection in 69% of the patients. This diagnosis could be confirmed in 110 of the 116 tested cases (95%) by a more than fourfold increase in the anti-HAV titer or  by detection of anti-HAV of the IgM class. In the 55 HBsAg-negative patients without epidemiological clues as to the type of hepatitis, 40 children exhibited anti-HAV which could be related to acute A infection in 21 out of 22 tested cases. At least 11 patients had to be classified as having nonn A--non B infection. The results indicate that a combination of evaluation of the patient's history and selected serological tests will permit a fast preliminary diagnosis. This is important in the clinical management of patients and protection of contacts with immunoglobulin.
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005860:Germany, West; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M