title: [Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Low infection rate in premature and full-term neonates following multiple transfusions].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nearly all cases of non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis are caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Data for HCV infection in childhood are limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  262 Children who received poly-transfusion between 1979 and 1983 were re-examined at a mean age of 3.5 years for HCV infection using an first-generation enzyme immunoassay to detect anti-HCV antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  14 of 262 children had positive anti-HCV titers (5.3%), 7 of them showed border line results. In further two patients HCV infection was suspected by clinical means, but initial serology was not available. 6.5 years later, 15 of these 16 children were re-examined at a mean age of 9.8 years. All had normal liver enzymes and positive anti-HCV serology was shown in 3 patients (1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates a low incidence of HCV infection after poly-transfusion during neonatal age. The rate of HCV infection may be even higher, if other more specific tests for HCV serology or PCR will be routinely available in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Kinderklinik, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wirth
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies
vernacular_title: Hepatitis-C-Virus (HCV). Niedrige Infektionsrate bei Früh- und Reifgeborenen nach Polytransfusion.