Toronto's SickKids hospital aware of seven probable cases of severe hepatitis in children
A Toronto hospital says it has detected seven cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children over a six-month period, as global experts race to figure out what’s causing the unexplained illness.
A SickKids Hospital spokesperson said the hospital has come across cases in seven children that met Public Health Ontario’s case definition. The cases were identified between Oct. 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022.
In an interview with CP24 on Monday afternoon, SickKids head of infectious diseases Dr. Upton Allen said that at this point it is too early to say whether the number of cases represents an increase on what the hospital may have encountered in previous years.
“What we're focusing on now is trying to determine the answers to two questions. Number one is are the cases that we're seeing now truly representative of a new signal, a signal that is different over the last six months or so compared to what we would have seen a year ago? Two years ago? Three years ago?” he said.
“Secondly, are they different in terms of causation? We don't have the answers to those two key questions as of yet.”
Public Health Ontario defines the cases as transaminitis, or liver inflammation, alongside jaundice and gastrointestinal dysfunction in children up to age 16, with no presence of the known Hepatitis viruses A through E.
Other symptoms include lethargy, fever, dark urine, pale stools, loss of appetite and nausea.
The infection is confirmed through blood, respiratory or stool testing.
It’s been hard to discern these cases from others because they often present with symptoms somewhat typical of COVID-19, and then the usual viruses that cause hepatitis are not found in their blood.
“The challenge with this breakout of new cases is that the typical hepatitis viruses are not being found in these children,” pediatrician Dr. Dina Kulik told CP24 earlier on Tuesday.
“Some of these kids tested positive for COVID, some had previous documented COVID-19 infections, and many kids are testing positive for another typically benign virus known as adenovirus that doesn’t typically cause hepatitis or really severe illness at all.”
The World Health Organization says it is now aware of 348 cases of the unexplained hepatitis in kids around the world, with one death reported and 17 liver transplants required so far in response.
Upton said that the cases at SickKids have involved children between the ages of two and 14. None of the children are currently being cared for in hospital, he said.
“The most important thing is, first of all, this is rare. So it's important to recognize that and it's not so far any of the recognized causes of hepatitis. But the investigations continue worldwide to get a better understanding of whether or not we're looking at a new pathogen or an old pathogen that is behaving differently in individuals for whatever reason,” he said.
Multiple causes of the hepatitis cases are under investigation. British authorities have said a rare adenovirus may be to blame.
Meanwhile, researchers in India and Israel have found data that suggests previous COVID-19 infection might be the culprit.
In a statement provided to CP24 on Tuesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada said that it is aware of the cases of severe acute hepatitis at SickKids and is monitoring the situation.
It did not say whether there have been any other cases reported at other Canadian children’s hospitals.
“At this time, we do not know if we are seeing an increase in the number of cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in children. More information is needed to assess the situation and any potential risks to people in Canada,” the statement notes.
“We are working closely with provincial, territorial, and international partners on this evolving event. We are prepared to carefully and thoroughly investigate any cases reported to PHAC that meet the national case definition. This will help us to determine the national scope in Canada, and to determine if cases of acute hepatitis in Canada may be related to other cases reported around the world.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
For first time in more than 10 years, child dies of measles in Ontario
A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Vatican revamps norms to evaluate visions of Mary as it adapts to Internet age and combats hoaxers
The Vatican on Friday radically reformed its process for evaluating alleged visions of the Virgin Mary, weeping statues and other seemingly supernatural phenomena, insisting on having the final say in whether the events are worthy of popular devotion.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.
5 secrets to moving better and preventing avoidable injury
Countless people seek emergency care for back pain, muscle strains and similar injuries resulting from “moving wrong” during mundane, everyday tasks such as bending over to tie shoes, lifting objects or doing household chores.
Zach Bryan and girlfriend Brianna Chickenfry are 'happy and alive' after 'traumatizing' car accident
Zach Bryan and his girlfriend Brianna LaPaglia were involved in a scary car accident earlier this week, according to LaPaglia, who recalled the experience in a candid video posted to her TikTok page earlier this week.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.