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Hepatitis A seroprevalence and demographics in Turkish children in Ankara
Author(s) -
Sac Rukiye U.,
Bostancı Ilknur,
Dallar Yıldız,
Cihan Goksin,
Atlı Ozlem
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-200x.2008.02671.x
Subject(s) - medicine , seroprevalence , hepatitis a , pediatrics , outpatient clinic , demographics , hepatitis , socioeconomic status , hepatitis b , demography , immunology , serology , environmental health , antibody , population , sociology
Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of hepatitis in childhood and an important public health problem. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A and patient demographics in children between 1 and 15 years old who were admitted to a pediatric outpatient clinic in Ankara, Turkey. Methods: Hepatitis IgM and G antibodies were determined in the sera of children who attended the outpatient clinic. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects or their parents. Results: The mean age of the children ( n = 335) was 7.9 ± 2.1 years; 47.5% of them were girls. The overall anti‐HAV IgG prevalence in children aged 1–15 years was 47.2%. The positivity of hepatitis A IgM was highest in the 6–10 years age group (22.7%; P < 0.001). HAV IgG was highest in the 11–15 years age group (69.4%; P < 0.001). A total of 95.6% of the children had social insurance, 49.3% were living in poverty. The socioeconomic level of 82.4% of subjects was low. The history of hepatitis in their families was 6.9%. Conclusions: Hepatitis A is intermediate endemic in Ankara and children must be vaccinated before school age, in addition to health education and improved sanitation.