Abstract

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated the risk factors for longer hospitalization with hepatitis A virus infection.

METHODS

Pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age admitted between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014 with the serological diagnosis of hepatitis A were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of 133 patients, 41.4% were female and 58.6% were male. The median age of the patients was 8.0 years (ranging from 6 months of age to 15 years). The median hospital stay was 3 days (ranging from 1 to 29 days). There was no statistically significant difference between the children with prolonged and shorter hospital stay by means of presence of high ALT and AST levels, leukopenia or leukocytosis, presence of fever, prolonged coagulation time, intravenous fluid, and administration of vitamin K or poor oral intake (p>0.05). The ratio of thrombocytopenia in children with prolonged hospital stay was significantly higher compared to the children with shorter stay (p=0.013 ). In terms of atypical course, two patients had fulminant hepatitis, one had cholestatic hepatitis.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Thrombocytopenia at the presentation of HAV infections in children may be the predictor for longer hospital stay.