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Risk factors for hepatitis C virus acquisition and predictors of persistence among Egyptian children
Author(s) -
Esmat Gamal,
Hashem Mohamed,
ElRaziky Mona,
ElAkel Wafaa,
ElNaghy Suzan,
ElKoofy Nehal,
ElSayed Rokaya,
Ahmed Rasha,
AttaAllah Mohamed,
Hamid Mohamed Abdel,
ElKamary Samer S,
ElKaraksy Hanaa
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02643.x
Subject(s) - hepatitis c virus , medicine , persistence (discontinuity) , hepatology , immunology , risk factor , odds ratio , hepatitis c , logistic regression , hepacivirus , antibody , psychological intervention , gastroenterology , virus , psychiatry , engineering , geotechnical engineering
Background Hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) has a lower prevalence in children and knowledge is limited regarding the natural outcome of HCV infection in children. Aim To study the risk factors of HCV acquisition and predictors of persistence in Egyptian children. Methods Children, 1–9 years of age, were evaluated for acquisition of HCV (anti‐ HCV positive regardless of viraemia) and persistence of HCV (anti‐ HCV and HCV ‐ RNA positive) at two paediatric hepatology clinics in C airo at enrolment and at 3 monthly intervals. Spontaneous clearance of HCV was defined as ≥ two positive anti‐ HCV antibody tests with negative HCV ‐ RNA at least 6 months apart. Results Over a 33‐month‐period a total of 226 children <9 years of age were screened for HCV antibodies. Of those, 146 (65%) were anti‐ HCV positive of which 87 (60%) were HCV ‐ RNA positive. The HCV acquisition was more likely to occur in older children ( P = 0.003) with comorbid conditions ( P < 0.01) compared to anti‐ HCV negative children. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the highest risk factors for HCV acquisition were surgical interventions [odds ratio ( OR ): 4.7] and blood transfusions ( OR : 2.3). The highest risk factor for HCV persistence was dental treatment ( OR : 16.9) and male gender ( OR : 7.5). HCV persistence was also strongly associated with elevated baseline alanine aminotransaminase ( ALT ) levels ( OR : 4.9) and fluctuating aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ) levels ( OR : 8.1). Conclusion Although surgical interventions and blood transfusion are significant risk factors for HCV acquisition in Egyptian children, dental treatment remains the highest risk factor for HCV chronic persistence in children.