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[Hepatitis B antigen (HBSAG) in hospitalized children]
Insights
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) was detected in 1.34% of hospitalized children. Early childhood infection is likely, with associations found between HBs-Ag and certain developmental disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Immunology
Context:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of HBV in pediatric populations is crucial for public health strategies.
- Previous studies have primarily focused on adult populations, leaving a gap in knowledge regarding childhood HBV epidemiology.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) in hospitalized children aged 0-18 years.
- To investigate potential associations between HBs-Ag positivity and specific clinical conditions in children.
- To explore the transmission routes and age-related incidence of HBV in this pediatric cohort.
Summary:
- A study of 1940 hospitalized children revealed a 1.34% prevalence of HBs-Ag.
- HBs-Ag positivity was associated with inborn deformities, perinatal, and neurological disorders.
- Radioimmunoassay was significantly more sensitive than counter-electrophoresis for HBs-Ag detection.
- No evidence of vertical transmission was found, and a low incidence increase with age suggested early childhood infection.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of screening hospitalized children for HBs-Ag.
- Suggests potential links between HBV infection and developmental abnormalities in children.
- Emphasizes the need for improved diagnostic methods for HBs-Ag detection in pediatric samples.
- Informs public health initiatives aimed at preventing and managing HBV in early childhood.
Abstract:
Blood samples of 1940 hospitalized children aged 0--18 years were investigated for presence of HBs-Ag by counter-electrophoresis, haemagglutination and radioimmunoassay, HBs-Ag was found in 1.34% of all patients, being distributed evenly amongst boys and girls. The incidence was 1.7% in patients from a large University children's hospital and 0.6% in patients from a group of regional hospitals. Of 26 samples positive by radioimmunoassay, 1 only was found positive by insensitive counter-electrophoresis. In addition to diseases known to be correlated with HBs-antigenaemia in adults, there was an accumulation of inborn deformities as well as perinatal and neurologic disorders in HBs-Ag positive children. Vertical transmission of hepatitis-B virus from pregnant or nursing mothers to their children could not be found. The incidence of HBs-antigenaemia increases little with age, thus infection in early childhood appears probable at least in a part of the cases.