Cardiac Disorder in an Iranian Child With Hepatitis A Virus

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis A is one of the most common types of viral hepatitis among children worldwide. Many infected individuals, especially younger children, are asymptomatic. It is usually transmitted by food or water contaminated with infected feces. Extra-hepatic manifestations of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) are very rare. Case Presentation: We present a 14-year-old girl who was referred to our hospital due to jaundice, abdominal pain, weakness, and lethargy. After laboratory testing, HAV was confirmed in the patient. However, she had significant bradycardia with hypotension, which is very rare in HAV infection. Conclusions: Hepatitis A causes an acute infection. The patients usually recover after a few weeks or months. Fulminant hepatitis can be observed in HAV infection but chronic infection does not exist. Extrahepatic complications and cardiac disorders are often reported in association with hepatitis C and B viruses, but they are very rare in HAV infections.