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Hepatitis A and E usually spread through food or water contaminated with infected stool, making safe water, sanitation, careful food handling and handwashing central to prevention.

Hepatitis B spreads through infected blood and body fluids and can pass from mother to baby, while hepatitis C is mainly blood-borne and may also be transmitted around birth. Hepatitis D occurs only alongside hepatitis B.

“The relatively low hepatitis B prevalence reported among Indian children is encouraging and consistent with the benefit of routine vaccination, although immunisation coverage remains uneven and the birth dose and complete series remain essential,” stated the paediatrician.

Symptoms of hepatitis in children

Jaundice is a common symptom of declining liver function. However, parents should not wait for the stage to arrive, cautioned Dr Pathak.

“Some children have few or no symptoms; others begin with unusual tiredness, fever, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting or upper-abdominal discomfort,” he stated. “Yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools, itching or joint pain may follow.”

According to the paediatrician, jaundice, dark urine, or pale stools need prompt medical review. Other symptoms that require urgent medical assessment include severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, increasing jaundice, bleeding, unusual sleepiness, and behavioural change or confusion.

“Parents should disclose every medicine or supplement the child has taken and never give extra paracetamol, because an overdose can seriously damage the liver,” he noted, adding, “Early assessment helps to distinguish an illness likely to settle with supportive care from a child whose liver is struggling and needs close monitoring.”

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.