Ewha Med J.  1999 Mar;22(1):3-8. 10.12771/emj.1999.22.1.3.

Clinical Manifestation of Apparent Acute Hepatitis A

• Jung HK
• Hwang MG
• Son HY
• Yi SY

• KMID: 2170970
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12771/emj.1999.22.1.3

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The apparent acute hepatitis A was occuring among adolescene and young adults during last several years. So here we present the clinical manifestations and laboratory finding and risk factors of 72 patients with acute hepatitis A who were referred to our community hospital.
METHODS
Seventy-two Patients, 6 to 40 years of age(mean ; 22+/-8 years) with hepatitis A identified by testing their sera for IgM anti-HAV antibody. Medical records for patients with HAV infection were retrospectively reviewed for symptoms, signs, and laboratory values.
RESULTS
The prevalence of hepatitis A have been increased recently, especially during last 2 years. The probable exposures to HAV included food- or waterborne source, household, foreign travel, day care centers. The clinical symptoms are not distinguishable from hepatitis due to other agents. The mean laboratory tests included total bilirubin 6.0mg/dl, AST/ALT 1064.0+/-1123.4mIU/mL, 1561.7+/-1203.0mIU/ml, respectively. All 72 patients experienced complete clinical and biochemical recovery within 6 months after onset of illness.
CONCLUSION
Abrupt increase of hepatitis A was occuring among the adolescents and young adults recently. Improved sanitation has brought our countries shifting a nearly universal asymptomatic infection in children to a less common but more significant disease expression in adults.

Keyword

Hepatitis A; Clinical manifestation

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Asymptomatic Infections
Bilirubin
Child
Family Characteristics
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A Antibodies
Hepatitis A*
Hospitals, Community
Humans
Immunoglobulin M
Medical Records
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Sanitation
Young Adult
Day Care, Medical
Bilirubin
Hepatitis A Antibodies
Immunoglobulin M