Related Experiment Videos
[HCV and HBV prevalence in hemodialyzed pediatric patients. Multicenter study]
M C Cañero-Velasco1, J E Mutti, J E Gonzalez
1Hospital del Niño de San Justo, Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Provincia de Buenos Aires.
Insights
Pediatric patients undergoing hemodialysis have a high prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infections. Higher infection rates correlate with increased transfusions and hemodialysis duration.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Virology
Context:
- Hemodialysis patients, particularly children, are vulnerable to viral infections.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) pose significant risks in this population.
Purpose:
- To determine the serum prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in pediatric hemodialysis patients.
- To investigate the relationship between infection rates, transfusion history, and dialysis duration.
Summary:
- A study of 61 pediatric patients (ages 2-20) on hemodialysis found high infection rates: 19.7% for HCV and 29.5% for HBV (38.9% HbsAg+, 50% anti-HBs+).
- Infection prevalence increased with the number of transfusions and hemodialysis time.
- Elevated ALT/ASAT levels were not reliable indicators of HCV/HBV infection in this cohort.
Impact:
- Highlights the substantial burden of HBV and HCV in pediatric hemodialysis patients.
- Suggests that transfusion history and dialysis duration are critical factors influencing viral transmission.
- Indicates that standard liver enzyme tests may be insufficient for monitoring viral hepatitis in these children.
Abstract:
Hemodialized pediatric patients are a risk population for the hepatitis B and C virus infection. The aim of this paper was to study the serum prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in hemodialized children. We study 61 pediatric patients at hemodialisis, 12 on renal transplant, range between 2 and 20 years old (mean: 12.9 years), 23 male and 38 female. The specific anti-HCV IgC were measured by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA Abbott) and confirmed by LIA-TEK (Organon). The anti-HBV were measured by ELISA Abbott and transaminases by cinetic method (ASAT: 29 UI/L and ALT: 33 UI/L). The 19.7% of studied children were HCV (+) and 29.5% were HBV (+), 38.9% of them were HbsAg (+) and 50% anti-HBs (+). The HCV and HBV infection was more elevated in relation to the transfusion number and the hemodilisis time. The elevation of ALT/ASAT activity isn't a right infection index for HCV and HBV in this children.