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Increased incidence of hepatitis B markers in children with sickle-cell anemia
P O Abiodun1, O J Fatunde, K H Flach
1Department of Child Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria.
Insights
Children with sickle-cell anemia have a higher prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection markers. This indicates a greater susceptibility to HBV in this vulnerable pediatric population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
Background:
- Sickle-cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder with significant health implications.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern, particularly in certain populations.
- Understanding co-infections in pediatric patients with sickle-cell anemia is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and other HBV markers in children with sickle-cell anemia.
- To compare HBV infection rates between children with sickle-cell anemia and healthy controls.
- To assess the impact of age on HBV infection markers in sickle-cell anemia patients.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 143 children (6 months to 12 years) with sickle-cell anemia for HBsAg.
- Comparison with 161 age-matched control children with Hb genotype AA.
- Analysis of HBsAg and anti-HBc (antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen) incidence.
- Statistical analysis using chi-squared tests to determine significance.
Main Results:
- HBsAg positivity was significantly higher in children with sickle-cell anemia (39.2%) compared to controls (19.3%).
- In children under 1 year, 50% of sickle-cell anemia patients were HBsAg-positive versus 4.3% of controls.
- Overall HBV infection markers (HBsAg + anti-HBc) were higher in sickle-cell anemia patients (74.6%) than controls (61.3%).
Conclusions:
- Children with sickle-cell anemia exhibit a significantly increased prevalence of HBV infection markers.
- Younger children with sickle-cell anemia are particularly vulnerable to HBV infection.
- Enhanced surveillance and potential interventions for HBV may be warranted in pediatric sickle-cell anemia patients.
Abstract:
Screening of 143 children 6 months to 12 years of age with sickle-cell anemia showed that 39.2% were HBsAg-positive as compared with 19.3% of the 161 control children of the same age group, who had Hb genotype AA (chi 2 = 14.7383; P less than 0.001). Fifty percent of the HbSS children under the age of 1 year were HBsAg-positive as opposed to 4.3% of the control group (chi 2 = 9.1955; P less than 0.001), while 28.6% of patients were HBsAg-positive at the age of 4 years compared with only 7.4% of the controls at the same age. The incidence of anti-HBc in both groups was similar. Markers of HBV infection (HBsAg + anti-HBc) were, however, on the whole higher in the patients with sickle-cell anemia [88/118 (74.6%)] than in the controls [54/88 (61.3%; P less than 0.005)].