Ten UK children require transplant amid surge in hepatitis cases

Lack of exposure to adenoviruses due to Covid restrictions is most likely explanation for surge, experts say

Ten children in the UK have required a liver transplant following a recent surge in severe hepatitis cases among young children, with the current total standing at 114 cases across all four UK nations.

A lack of exposure to common adenoviruses due to Covid restrictions during the past two years combined with a recent spike in adenovirus infection as society opens back up is the most likely explanation, experts say.