Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Acute Severe Hepatitis of Unknown Origin: Operational Recommendation of Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Abstract

Around 450 cases of acute severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children have been reported in 21 countries and region globally since April 2022, which has exceeded the past annual incidences of related regions, and has aroused wide concern. Affected patients were predominantly children under 16 years of age, presented with symptoms of acute hepatitis with markedly elevated liver enzymes, and had been ruled out of common viral infections such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Similar cases have not been reported in China yet. However, considering that the severe acute hepatitis has involved worldwide areas, still with unknown origin, and incidences of severity is relatively high, we formulated this recommendation to standardize diagnosis and treatment of acute severe hepatitis of unknown origin in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, to get fully prepared to the possible public health events.