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[PREVALENCE OF ANTI-HCV IN HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN]
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 1.4% of hospitalized children under 14. Risk factors include surgery, hospitalizations, and transfusions, with minimal liver damage observed.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Hepatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant cause of post-transfusion hepatitis.
- Understanding HCV prevalence in pediatric populations is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HCV infection in hospitalized children under 14 years old.
- To identify risk factors associated with HCV infection in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A Cuban-manufactured Microelisa system was used to test 500 hospitalized children for anti-HCV antibodies.
- Repeatedly reactive samples were considered positive.
- Clinical, biochemical, immunological, echographic, laparoscopic, and histological examinations were performed on positive cases.
Main Results:
- Seven patients (1.4%) tested positive for HCV.
- Increased relative risk for HCV was associated with previous surgery (4.5x), multiple hospitalizations (>4, 3.9x), previous transfusions (2.6x), and vaccination (1.9x).
- The predominant histological finding was minimal liver cell damage.
Conclusions:
- HCV screening in blood banks is essential.
- Further research into other transmission routes is recommended.
- Long-term follow-up of infected children is necessary to monitor for chronic sequelae.
Abstract:
In the last years, one of the causative agents of post-transfusion non A non B hepatitis has been identified as hepatitis virus C(HCV). In order to determine the HCV prevalence in a pediatric population, an anti-HCV determination through Cuban manufactured Microelisa system was done to 500 hospitalized children under 14 years old, of both sex, for six months. The samples repeatedly reactive were considered positive, the risk factors for this infection were evaluated and the Relative Risk was estimated. Seven patients (1,4% of the sample) were HCV-positive, and underwent clinical, biochemical, immunological, echographic, laparoscopic and histological examinations to determine the hepatic damages associated to the presence of this virus. The Relative Risk for HCV is 4,5 times more for those with previous surgical operation, 3,9 for those who have had more than four previous hospitalizations and, of 2,6 and 1,9 for those with previous transfusion and treatment with vaccine, respectively. The predominant histological lesion reported was a minimum damage of the liver cells. It is important to screen for HCV in blood banks and to study other possible routes of transmission. We recommend the follow up of these patients for the possibility of cronical sequela.