Hepatitis C virus infection in multi-transfused children with haematological malignancy

Transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important hazard of blood transfusion and may result in chronic liver disease. 98 children from Nottingham and Sheffield with haematological malignancies were studied to determine the prevalence of HCV infection by enzyme immunoassay and RT/PCR techniques. The children had been exposed to up to 184 donors through red cell and platelet transfusion, the majority prior to routine testing for HCV infection in blood donors. Only one sample showed evidence of HCV infection being both ELISA and RT/PCR positive. None of the samples taken since donor screening were positive. This provides reassurance as to the low rate of HCV acquisition in multi-transfused patients in this part of the U.K. compared to other parts of the world.