An unusual complication of hepatitis A virus infection; pleural effusion

Pleural effusion due to hepatitis A virus infection is a rare complication during childhood and occur during early period of the disease. Here an 8-year-old girl with pleural effusion
during hepatitis A infection is reported.
An 8-year-old girl admitted to hospital with complaints of fever, jaundice, nausea and lack of appetite. Physical examination revealed abdominal tenderness, hepatomegaly and
scleral icterus. A clinical diagnosis of viral hepatitis was made. Laboratory data revealed normal complete blood count and serum bilirubin of 8.5 mg/dl (direct 3.5 mg/dl). Alanine
aminotransferase was 555 IU/L and aspartate aminotransferase was 331 IU/L. Serum proteins and prothrombin time was normal. Positive anti hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM antibody titres confirmed the diagnosis of hepatitis A. Other viral hepatitis markers were negative. Abdominal sonography revealed mild hepatomegaly with increased echogenicity.
Mild ascites with right sided pleural effusion was also noticed.
With this case we want to emphasize that pleural effusion and ascites can be seen during hepatitis A virus infection and this complication usually resolves spontaneously.

Çocukluk çaðýnda hepatit A infeksiyonuna baðlý geliþen plevral efüzyon ve peritoneal asit birikimi