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Prevalence of hepatitis A virus infection in children with biliary atresia

Voranush Chongsrisawat1, Apiradee Theamboonlers, Yong Poovorawan

  • 1Center of Excellence in Viral Hepatitis, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
|May 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is prevalent in children with biliary atresia (BA), particularly in older children. HAV infection may worsen liver damage in BA patients, highlighting the need for further immunization studies.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Biliary atresia (BA) is a serious pediatric liver disease.
  • Children with BA are at risk of severe liver damage, especially if portoenterostomy fails.
  • Superimposed viral infections can exacerbate liver disease in BA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in children with biliary atresia (BA).
  • To assess the relationship between HAV seropositivity and patient age and clinical outcomes in BA.
  • To evaluate the potential impact of HAV infection on liver function in children with BA.

Main Methods:

  • Blood samples were collected from 77 children diagnosed with BA between May 2002 and May 2003.
  • Patients had undergone portoenterostomy and attended a pediatric liver clinic.
  • HAV seropositivity was determined and analyzed in relation to age and total bilirubin levels.

Main Results:

  • The overall HAV seropositivity rate was not explicitly stated, but rates were 13.1% for patients <10 years and 25% for patients >=10 years.
  • No statistically significant difference in HAV seropositivity was found between patients with favorable (bilirubin <=2 mg/dl) and unfavorable (bilirubin >2 mg/dl) outcomes (p = 0.6).
  • Higher seropositivity rates were observed in older children with BA.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis A virus infection is present in children with biliary atresia.
  • HAV infection may pose an additional risk to liver function in BA patients, potentially leading to severe disease.
  • The efficacy of HAV immunization in this vulnerable pediatric population warrants further investigation.

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