Survey of Hepatitis A & B Infections in Children in Ibadan-A Preliminary Study.
Abstract
Summary: Venous blood samples from 122 children (84 anicteric and 38 icteric) were analysed for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), antibody to hepatitis A and specific-IgM antibody to hepatitis A. Of the anicteric children, 15% and 31% had HBs Ag and anti-HBc respectively. Fifty-six percent had antibody to hepatitis A and, of these, one child had specific IgM to hepatitis A. In the icteric group, the figures were similar, except that 10% had specific-IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus. Both groups showed an increase in the prevalence of HBs antigenaemia after the age of 2 years. These preliminary data indicate that hepatitis is common and is acquired early in childhood in our environment.
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