What Do I Need to Look Out for in My Child?

2min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Scientists will collect samples from the children and, e in time, perhaps also from their familie. The signs to look out for are tumiac a, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is important that parents and families get this in perspective. Although it's a serious effect on the liver, it is still a very small number of children affected. We'll be back on t Tuesday with our full interview with deirdry kelly.

Over the past few weeks, countries around the world have reported an unexpected increase in the number of children with hepatitis. So far about 200 cases have been reported. More than half have come from the UK, but there have also been reports from Spain, Japan and the US, among others. Although this is still a very rare disease, it is severe, with 10% of affected children needing a liver transplant. So what might explain this unusual rise? Guardian science editor Ian Sample speaks to Prof Deirdre Kelly about the current theories as to what could be happening, and how concerned we should be. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod