Parents urged to be alert for hepatitis signs after cases found in children in England and Scotland

A number of hepatitis cases in children has prompted health chiefs in England and Scotland to issue new advice to parents, ITV News Health Editor Emily Morgan explains

Parents across England and Scotland have been warned to look out for signs of hepatitis after a small number of cases were detected in children. Around 60 cases of the inflammatory liver condition have been found in youngsters under 10 in England, and 11 cases in Scotland saw children sent to hospital.

Usually in Scotland, there are around eight cases like this a year.What are the symptoms of hepatitis for parents to look out for?

Symptoms of the condition, which include dark urine, itchy skin, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite and a high temperature.

Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency, said “investigations for a wide range of potential causes are under way, including any possible links to infectious diseases”.

“We are also reminding parents to be aware of the symptoms of jaundice – including skin with a yellow tinge which is most easily seen in the whites of the eyes – and to contact a healthcare professional if they have concerns.”

The agency is now raising awareness of the cases among healthcare professionals so that any other child who may be affected can be identified and helped as early as possible, Dr Chand added.

While the condition may have occurred for a number of reasons, including several viral infections common in children, the cases under investigation have not found the common viruses which usually cause the condition.

As ITV News Health Editor Emily Morgan reports, the reason behind the increase in cases is not thought to be linked to the Covid vaccine.

What could be behind the unusual spike in cases? Emily Morgan explains to Faye Barker

In Scotland, health bosses said the number of cases in such a short period of time, combined with the geographical spread and severity of illness, was “unusual”. There are currently no clear causes for the cases, which have been detected in Lanarkshire, Tayside, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Fife. Public Health Scotland said there was currently no clear connection between the cases. Dr Nicholas Phin, director of public health at the organisation, said their investigation was in its early stages. “We are continuing to investigate these cases and will provide further updates as and when they are available," he said.

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