Can children have hepatitis C without obvious signs of liver disease?

Details

The study aimed to identify the prevalence, risk factors and manifestations of asymptomatic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egyptian children.

In this observational screening study with negative-control comparisons, children aged 1–9 years were screened for HCV antibodies and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Every child with elevated ALT and/or detectable HCV antibodies was tested for HCV RNA using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Each was compared with two negative controls for risk factors and signs and symptoms of liver disease.

The researchers screened 1,042 children. Six had elevated ALT, negative HCV antibody tests and positive HCV RNA tests, likely representing acute hepatitis C cases. Fifteen children were HCV antibody-positive, and 5 of these were also HCV RNA-positive. Asymptomatic HCV infection was present in 2.02%, defined as a positive result for HCV antibodies, HCV RNA or both.

Diarrhea, abdominal pain, a history of fatigue, school absence because of illness, and risk factors such as dental care were significantly more common among HCV-positive children than among controls. None of the HCV-positive children was diagnosed with signs of advanced liver disease on clinical or ultrasonographic examination.

The authors concluded that asymptomatic HCV infection was detectable in 2.02% of the Egyptian children studied.