Congenital viral hepatitis

**Definition:** A disease of the liver affecting the neonate, caused by an infection with either hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E virus in utero. This disease is characterised by lethargy, jaundice, abdominal distention, failure to thrive, or clay coloured stools. Transmission is by vertical transmission. Confirmation is by identification of the hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E virus in a blood sample from the neonate.