WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer prices were up slightly in April, but overall gains were held back by another decline in energy costs that offset the biggest one-month jump in medical care in eight years.

Consumer prices edged up 0.1 percent last month compared to March, when prices rose a modest 0.2 percent, the Labor Department said Friday. Energy costs fell 1.3 percent and food prices were unchanged, keeping inflation modest.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy, climbed 0.3 percent in the biggest gain in 15 months. The figure was driven higher by a 0.7 percent rise in medical care, reflecting a surge in hospital costs.

Inflation pressures have generally been well contained since the recession.

Consumer prices are down 0.2 percent from 12 months ago, reflecting the big drop in energy prices, which have fallen nearly 20 percent over the past year. Prices excluding energy and food are up 1.8 percent from a year ago.

In April, gasoline prices on a seasonally adjusted basis were down 1.7 percent after having posted increases in the past two months.