The Changing Pattern of Childhood Hepatitis

Abstract

The Australia antigen or hepatitis-associated antigen test makes it possible to distinguish between the serum and the infectious forms of viral hepatitis. This distinction previously could be made only clinically. Studies of the antigen also show that the term “serum hepatitis” cannot be reserved for cases which follow parenteral inoculation. Viral or nonviral hepatitis can be associated with aplastic anemia, Reye's syndrome, alpha, antitrypsin deficiency, halothane anesthesia, and biliary atresia.