Acute hepatitis

Background

Causes of acute hepatitis

Clinical Features

Acute Hepatitis Features

Jaundice of the skin
Pediatric jaundice with icterus of sclera.

Differential Diagnosis

RUQ Pain

Evaluation

  • LFTs
    • AST, ALT > 1000s
    • Elevated bilirubin
    • Elevated alk phosphatase
  • INR
  • Consider acetaminophen level
  • Acute hepatitis panel
    • Hep A Ab IgM
    • Hep B cAb IgM
    • Hep B sAg
    • Hep B sAb
    • Hep C Ab
Anti-hepatitis A, IgM Hepatitis B surface antigen Anti-hepatitis B core, IgM Anti-hepatitis C Interpretation
Positive Negative Negative Negative Acute hepatitis A
Negative Positive Positive Negative Acute hepatitis B
Negative Positive Negative Negative Chronic hepatitis B infection
Negative Negative Positive Negative Acute hepatitis B; quantity of hepatitis B surface antigen is too low to detect
Negative Negative Negative Positive Acute or chronic hepatitis C; additional tests are required to make the determination

Management

  • Treat underlying cause

Disposition

Consider admission for:

See Also

References

  1. Ostapowicz G, Fontana RJ, Schiodt FV, et al. Results of a prospective study of acute liver failure at 17 tertiary care centers in the United States. Ann Intern Med. 2002 Dec 17; 137(12): 947-54.