Investigators are trying to find the cause of a new kind of hepatitis that has affected 74 children this year.
UK Health Security Agency investigators said they are searching for viral causes of the new disease.
One possibility is that it is being caused by adenoviruses, another is that it is linked to COVID infection.
Cases have been spread across the UK with 49 children affected in England, 13 in Scotland and 12 in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said: “We are working swiftly with the NHS and public health colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to investigate a wide range of possible factors which may be causing children to be admitted to hospital with liver inflammation known as hepatitis.
“One of the possible causes that we are investigating is that this is linked to adenovirus infection. However, we are thoroughly investigating other potential causes.
“We are also calling on parents and guardians, to be alert to the signs of hepatitis – including jaundice – and to contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned.”
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