A 15-year-old with jaundice and nausea raises concern for a pregnancy-related condition. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A 15-year-old with jaundice and nausea raises concern for a pregnancy-related condition. Which diagnosis is most likely?

• A. Infectious mononucleosis
• B. Hepatitis B
• C. Chronic fatigue syndrome
• D. Viral gastritis

Answer: (B)

When the presenting signs point to liver involvement, the most likely cause in a teen with jaundice and nausea is a hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B commonly presents with fatigue, malaise, nausea, and especially jaundice, and it’s a concern in pregnancy because the virus can be transmitted from mother to baby during birth, making prenatal screening and maternal management important. Infectious mononucleosis can involve the liver but typically comes with pronounced fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes rather than jaundice as the main feature. Chronic fatigue syndrome doesn’t produce jaundice or acute liver findings. Viral gastritis mainly causes vomiting and cramping without the liver-specific signs seen with hepatitis. To confirm, expect liver function tests and hepatitis B serologies, starting with checking for HBsAg to identify acute or chronic infection, along with counseling about transmission and appropriate prenatal considerations if pregnancy is confirmed.

When the presenting signs point to liver involvement, the most likely cause in a teen with jaundice and nausea is a hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B commonly presents with fatigue, malaise, nausea, and especially jaundice, and it’s a concern in pregnancy because the virus can be transmitted from mother to baby during birth, making prenatal screening and maternal management important.

Infectious mononucleosis can involve the liver but typically comes with pronounced fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes rather than jaundice as the main feature. Chronic fatigue syndrome doesn’t produce jaundice or acute liver findings. Viral gastritis mainly causes vomiting and cramping without the liver-specific signs seen with hepatitis.

To confirm, expect liver function tests and hepatitis B serologies, starting with checking for HBsAg to identify acute or chronic infection, along with counseling about transmission and appropriate prenatal considerations if pregnancy is confirmed.