Viral infections of the liver in childhood

Abstract

Summary Hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses and yellow fever virus are the most important causes of acute inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is also frequently associated with other common viral infections such as cytomegalovirus (human herpesvirus 5) and EB virus (human herpesvirus 4). In addition, there are a number of viruses which occasionally display increased hepatotropism producing a clinical picture which is similar to classical hepatitis.