Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. (2026).2(154): 134-140. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.2(154).134140
Usachova O. V.¹, Silina Ye. A.¹, Tovma A. V.¹, Turliun V. A.², Shtibler A. V.², Mohylnyak V. V.^1
1Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Ukraine
²MNCE «City Children’s Hospital No. 5» of the Zaporizhzhia City Council, Ukraine

For citation: Usachova OV, Silina YeA, Tovma AV, Turliun VA, Shtibler AV, Mohylnyak VV. (2026). Hantavirus infection in a child: diagnostic challenges and clinical case. Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. 2(154): 134-140. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.2(154).134140.
Article received: Nov 16, 2025. Accepted for publication: Mar 16, 2026.

Hantavirus infection is a rare zoonotic disease that manifests with a hemorrhagic syndrome and the development of renal failure. It belongs to the group of severe and potentially life-threatening pathologies in children, both worldwide and in Ukraine in particular. Rodents serve as reservoirs and carriers of infection, while hantaviruses are the causative agents. In the Americas, they cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, whereas in Europe, they lead to hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome or its milder form – epidemic nephropathy.
Aim – to demonstrate the stages and challenges of diagnosing hantavirus infection through a clinical case in a child.
Clinical case. This case describes the course of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in a 14-year-old child residing in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. The case highlights hantavirus infection as a disease that may mimic other diagnoses. The diagnosis of hantavirus infection presenting with hemorrhagic syndrome and renal failure, particularly in the pediatric population, is complicated due to its rarity and similarity of symptoms to other inflammatory diseases.
Conclusions. Hantavirus infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with fever, signs of renal failure, hemorrhagic manifestations, and thrombocytopenia, regardless of age or region of residence. The specific diagnostic methods include the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to hantavirus using ELISA and immunoblotting.
The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from the child's parents to participate in the study.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Keywords: viral infection, hantaviruses, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, children, diagnosis, differential diagnosis.

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