Related Experiment Videos
Post-transfusion chronic hepatitis C in children
S Matsuoka1, K Tatara, Y Hayabuchi
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Tokushima, School of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
Children receiving blood transfusions before 1990 have a significant risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Early screening is crucial for detecting chronic HCV in this vulnerable pediatric population.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a risk to recipients of blood products.
- Blood screening for HCV antibodies began in 1990.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of HCV infection in children who underwent open-heart surgery and received blood products.
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes of HCV infection in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 226 pediatric patients using second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.
- Virologic (HCV RNA) and histologic assessments for seropositive individuals.
Main Results:
- 14% (22/161) of patients receiving blood products before 1990 were HCV seropositive.
- No seropositive cases were found in patients who received blood products after 1990.
- 45% (10/24) of seropositive patients had persistent HCV infection with ongoing hepatitis.
- 55% (12/24) of seropositive patients showed resolved HCV infection with normal ALT levels.
Conclusions:
- Children who received blood products before 1990 are at high risk for HCV infection.
- Routine screening is essential for identifying chronic hepatitis C in pediatric patients with a history of blood product transfusion prior to donor screening.
- Early detection and management of HCV are critical for preventing long-term liver damage in children.
Abstract:
Two hundred and twenty-six patients who received blood products for open-heart surgery in childhood were screened by a second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and with surrogate markers for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Twenty-two (14%) of the 161 recipients who received blood products before 1989 and none of the subjects who had received blood products after 1990 (the year that the blood bank began to screen for HCV antibody) were HCV seropositive. Virologic and histologic studies showed that 10 (45%) of 24 seropositive patients had persistent hepatitis C virus infection, many with ongoing hepatitis. The remaining 12 seropositive patients with absent HCV RNA had normal ALT levels, indicating resolved hepatitis C infection. Enrolment in screening is important to detect chronic hepatitis C in children who received blood products prior to screening of blood donors for HCV antibody.