Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 24, 2026 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
Medical News: Subtle Liver Damage Emerges in Sick Children
Doctors have long focused on the lungs when treating children hospitalized with viral pneumonia, but new research shows another organ is often quietly affected. A detailed study from Turkey has found that liver inflammation, known medically as hepatitis, is far more common in children with COVID-19 or influenza pneumonia than previously believed. The findings highlight an overlooked complication that may influence outcomes in seriously ill children.
New research reveals silent liver damage is common in children hospitalized with COVID-19 or influenza pneumonia.
Who Conducted The Research
The study was carried out by researchers from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in Ankara, Turkey. The team included specialists from the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, the Department of Pediatrics, the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, and the Department of Biostatistics. Their combined expertise allowed a broad and careful evaluation of how viral pneumonia affects the liver in children.
How The Study Was Done
Researchers reviewed the medical records of 117 children hospitalized with pneumonia caused by either SARS-CoV-2 or influenza. Of these, 69 had COVID-19 pneumonia and 48 had influenza pneumonia. Liver blood tests were measured when children were admitted and then repeatedly over the next two weeks. These tests look for enzymes that rise when liver cells are stressed or damaged, offering an early warning sign even when symptoms are mild or absent.
Key Findings on Liver Involvement
At hospital admission, liver abnormalities were already present in more than one third of children with COVID-19 pneumonia and nearly one third of those with influenza pneumonia. As the illness progressed, liver involvement increased further, affecting more than half of the COVID-19 group and over one third of the influenza group. Most cases involved mixed patterns of liver injury, meaning both liver cells and bile flow were affected. Importantly, many children who initially had normal liver tests went on to develop mild to moderate liver injury during treatment, often while receiving antiviral and antibiotic medications.
Differences Between COVID-19 And Influenza
While both viruses affected the liver, COVID-19 stood out for its severity. All recorded deaths occurred in children with COVID-19 pneumonia, while none occurred in the influenza group. Mortality was closely linked to moderate or severe liver injury at admission and to the development of shock during hospitalization. Children with underlying lung disease, neurometabolic conditions, or cancer were especially vulnerable to worsening liver injury.
Why These Findings Matter
This
Medical News report underscores that liver involvement in viral pneumonia is not rare and should not be dismissed as an incidental finding. Although most liver changes were reversible and did not progress to liver failure, their presence signaled
a more severe disease course, particularly in COVID-19 cases. The study also suggests that inflammation, low oxygen levels, shock, and drug related stress on the liver may act together to worsen liver function during infection.
Conclusion
The findings show that liver inflammation is a common and clinically meaningful complication in children hospitalized with COVID-19 and influenza pneumonia. COVID-19 was associated with more frequent liver involvement and significantly higher mortality, especially in children with serious underlying illnesses. Careful monitoring of liver tests can help doctors identify high risk patients early, guide treatment decisions, and potentially improve outcomes in vulnerable pediatric populations.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: BMC Pediatrics.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-025-06481-z
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/influenza-or-flu
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