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Marked decrease of hepatitis B virus infection among children in Okinawa, Japan
J Hayashi1, W Kajiyama, A Noguchi
1Department of General Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital 71, Fukuoka, Japan.
Insights
Hepatitis B infection markers decreased in Okinawa nursery school children from 1980-1989. Early infant immunization significantly reduced mother-to-child hepatitis B virus transmission.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant global health challenge.
- Mother-to-child transmission is a primary route for HBV infection in endemic areas.
- Serologic markers like HBsAg and anti-HBc are crucial for tracking HBV prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the serologic markers of hepatitis B infection in nursery school children in Okinawa, Japan, from 1980-1989.
- To evaluate the impact of hepatitis B immunization strategies on infection rates.
- To identify potential transmission routes and inform public health interventions.
Main Methods:
- Serologic testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was conducted.
- Data were collected from nursery school children aged 1-4 years in Okinawa.
- Prevalence rates were analyzed across different time periods (1980-1984, 1985-1989).
Main Results:
- HBsAg prevalence decreased from 1.1-1.5% (1980-1984) to under 1.0% (1985 onwards).
- Anti-HBc prevalence declined significantly from 3.3-7.1% (1980-1983) to 0.5% by 1988.
- Two HBsAg carriers identified in 1989 were born in 1985 or had HBsAg-positive fathers.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis B immunization, particularly for neonates born to HBsAg-positive mothers, markedly reduced HBV infection and mother-to-child transmission.
- Immunization strategies are effective in reducing HBV prevalence in endemic settings.
- Consideration should be given to immunizing children with HBsAg-positive fathers.
Abstract:
During the period 1980-1989 in Okinawa, Japan, serologic markers of hepatitis B infection (hepatitis B surface antigen; HBsAg, antibody to hepatitis B core antigen; anti-HBc) were investigated in nursery school children (1-4 years of age). Prevalences of HBsAg were 1.1-1.5% in the period from 1980-1984, but decreased to under 1.0% in the period from 1985. In 1989 there were two carriers in nursery schools, both born in 1985 or fathers who were HBsAg carriers. Prevalences of anti-HBc were 3.3-7.1% in the period from 1980-1983 with a decrease to 0.5% by 1988. Since hepatitis B vaccine was available for neonates whose mothers were HBsAg carriers with hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) and for nursery school children in 1983, hepatitis B virus infection among nursery school children and HBsAg carriers due to transmission from mother-to-child were markedly reduced. This strategy for immunization is useful in endemic areas. Immunization for children whose fathers are HBsAg carriers may also be necessary.