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A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
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Increasing Prevalence of Hepatitis C among Hospitalized Children Is Associated with an Increase in Substance Abuse

A Sidney Barritt1, Brian Lee2, Thomas Runge1

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|November 7, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric hepatitis C virus (HCV) hospitalizations rose significantly from 2006-2012, primarily affecting adolescents and correlating with increased substance abuse. Public health strategies must address adolescent substance use to combat rising HCV rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding trends in pediatric HCV is crucial for targeted interventions.
  • Substance abuse is a known risk factor for HCV transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of substance abuse on pediatric hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence.
  • To examine geographic and demographic data on inpatient hospitalizations in children with HCV.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Kids' Inpatient Database (2006, 2009, 2012) to identify pediatric HCV hospitalizations.
  • Employed International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition codes for case identification.
  • Applied nonparametric tests for trend analysis to assess changes over time.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric HCV hospitalizations increased by 37% nationally from 2006 to 2012.
  • The majority of cases (68%) were in older adolescents (19-20 years), with a 54% increase.
  • HCV prevalence was highest among white children, those in the lowest income quartile, and in the Northeast and Southern US regions.
  • Substance use among pediatric HCV cases rose from 25% to 41% during the study period.

Conclusions:

  • Rising HCV hospitalizations in children are predominantly among adolescents and strongly linked to substance abuse.
  • The burden of pediatric HCV is concentrated in specific demographic and geographic groups.
  • Public health initiatives must integrate adolescent substance abuse prevention and treatment to effectively combat HCV.
Abstract

Keywords:
Hepatitis Cinpatientpediatricsprevalencesubstance abuse

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