The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology of viral hepatitis in
children in Damascus University children hospital. A retrospective study on
(259) cases of viral hepatitis admitted to hospital within 4 yrs from the
beginning of 2000 to
the end of 2003. The number of hepatitis A virus cases
was (112) cases with an average of 2.9/ 1000 of admissions yearly. More than
a half of cases were between 1-5 years of age. The most common symptoms
and signs were jaundice, fever and hepatomegaly. About 76% of cases were
cured or improved, 21.4% of them were died. For hepatitis B virus the
number of cases was (42) cases with an average of 1.08/ 1000 of admissions
yearly.
