title: Prevalence of HBsAg & anti-HBs in children & strategy suggested for immunisation in India.
abstract: The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs was studied in sera from 982 children of different age groups below 5 yr. HBsAg was detected in 0.9, 2.3, 4.1, 2.3 and 1.6 per cent children of 0-1, 2-6, 7-12, 13-36 and 37-60 months age groups respectively. Anti-HBs in these five groups was noted in 17.0, 12.9, 18.4, 14.2 and 13.7 per cent children, respectively. The findings suggest that the carrier pool is built up in the preschool age group, particularly, below the age of 6 months. Perinatal transmission and the relative role of transplacental need re-evaluation. Cost analysis does not permit inclusion of HBV in the Expanded Programme of Immunisation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology & Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Tandon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irshad
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raju
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Mathur
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens