Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
Modeling Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Non-Hepatic 293T-NE-3NRs Cells
Published on: June 5, 2020
Risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection in children
1Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Insights
Identifying risk factors for Hepatitis B infection (HBV) in children is crucial for prevention. Key factors include irregular mosquito net use, surgical history, parenteral medication, mother-to-child transmission, and barber shop abrasions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant global health challenge, with an estimated 3% prevalence in Bangladesh.
- Current antiviral treatments for chronic HBV are expensive and offer limited efficacy, underscoring the need for preventative strategies.
- Identifying risk factors for HBV infection, particularly in pediatric populations, is essential for developing targeted public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and identify specific risk factors associated with Hepatitis B virus infection in children.
- To provide data for the development of effective prevention programs for pediatric HBV in Bangladesh.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted involving 100 children with HBV infection (cases) and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy children (controls).
- Data were collected on potential risk factors including age, mosquito net usage, surgical history, intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, maternal HBV infection, dental procedures, and barber shop practices.
- Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests, odds ratio calculations, and backward conditional logistic regression for multivariate analysis.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis B virus infection was more prevalent in children aged 7-12 years (62.0%) compared to those aged 0-6 years (18.0%).
- Significant risk factors identified were irregular mosquito net use (p=0.028), history of surgical procedures (p=0.005), intravenous drug use (p=0.001), mother-to-child transmission (p=0.001), and abrasions from barber shop haircuts (p=0.04).
- Blood transfusion (p=0.138) and dental procedures (p=0.315) did not show a significant association with HBV infection in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Irregular use of mosquito nets, surgical procedures, parenteral medication, maternal transmission, and barber shop abrasions are significant risk factors for Hepatitis B virus infection in children.
- These findings highlight the importance of targeted preventive measures, especially focusing on hygiene during haircuts and maternal screening and care.
- Further research could explore the specific mechanisms of transmission in these identified risk groups to refine prevention strategies.
Abstract:
Hepatitis B infection (HBV) is prevalent worldwide. Overall prevalence is about 3 percent in Bangladesh. Treatments of chronic HBV infection by antiviral drugs are costly and outcome of treatment is also restricted. Therefore risk factors identification is the logical & rational approach to prevent HBV infection. This case control study aimed to find out certain risk factors related to HBV infection in children. It was conducted on patients attending the Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition and Department of Virology of BSMMU and Khidmah Hospital, Dhaka. A total of one hundred cases and one hundred suitably matched controls were studied between October 2007 to May 2009.Variables used for the purpose of the study were younger age, use of mosquito nets, history of undergoing surgical procedures, history of taking intravenous drug and blood transfusion, maternal infection, dental procedures and abrasion during hair cut in barber shops. Chi-square test was done to measure the level of significance. Odds ratio was calculated to correlate the disease risk. Backward conditional logistic regression was also done for multivariate analysis. The study result showed that the frequency of HBV infection among the study population was higher (62.0%) among children of 7 to 12 years age group. In younger age group (0-6 years) prevalence was 18.0%. Respondents who did not use mosquito net during sleep on a regular basis had higher risk of developing HBV infection than those who used it regularly (p value 0.028). Children who underwent surgical procedures for any reason were significantly associated with HBV infection (p value 0.005). Intravenous drug use (p value 0.001), mother to child transmission (p value 0.001) and history of abrasion during hair cut in barber shops (p value 0.04) were also identified as significant risk factors. No significant association was observed with blood transfusion (p value 0.138) and dental procedures (p value 0.315). From this study it may be concluded that irregular use of mosquito nets, history of surgical procedures, history of parenteral medication, transmission from infected mothers and abrasion during hair cut in barber shops are the probable important risk factors of HBV infection in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Hepatitis
01:28Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion