HBsAg seropositivity among multi-transfused thalassemic children

Area of Science:

• * Infectious Diseases
• * Pediatric Hematology
• * Public Health

Background:

• * Thalassemia major patients require lifelong, transfusion-dependent management.
• * Transfusion-dependent patients are susceptible to post-transfusion viral infections, including Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
• * Understanding HBV prevalence in this high-risk population is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To determine the proportion of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among multi-transfused pediatric thalassemia patients.
• * To identify risk factors associated with HBV seropositivity in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• * A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 90 children (2-13 years) with thalassemia major attending a tertiary care hospital.
• * Patients were categorized based on transfusion frequency and immunization status.
• * Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

• * Overall, 6.6% (6 out of 90) of the patients tested positive for HBsAg.
• * Among patients who received over 100 transfusions (n=29), 10.34% (3 patients) were seropositive for HBV.
• * Unimmunized patients demonstrated a doubled risk of acquiring HBV infection compared to immunized individuals.

Conclusions:

• * A significant proportion of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients harbor HBV infection, highlighting the need for vigilance.
• * Strict adherence to donor blood screening for HBV and universal immunization against HBV are essential preventive strategies.
• * Targeted HBV vaccination programs are particularly critical for high-risk groups like pediatric thalassemia patients.