Hepatitis B virus screening for internationally adopted children.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Hepatology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a global health concern.
• International adoptees may have different HBV exposure risks compared to domestic populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of HBV protection, infection, and recovery in internationally adopted children.
• To assess the necessity of repeat HBV testing 6 months post-arrival in the US.

Main Methods:

• Screening of 1282 international adoptees for HBV from 1999-2006.
• Analysis of HBV results based on age, gender, and country of birth.

Main Results:

• Overall HBV prevalence was 4% (1.1% active infection, 2.9% resolved infection).
• 64% of adoptees demonstrated HBV immunization with protective antibodies.
• A case highlighted the need for repeat serological testing due to potential recent infection or vaccination before adoption.

Conclusions:

• Findings support existing American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for HBV screening in international adoptees.
• Emphasizes the importance of comprehensive HBV infection control measures for this population.