The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody in home-reared individuals with Down syndrome.
We examined 180 noninstitutionalized persons with Down syndrome for the presence of both hepatitis B surface antigens and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen. Two of the 180 subjects with Down syndrome had a positive test. One patient was hepatitis B surface antigen positive and the other was found to have antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen. Also, 2 of the 155 individuals in the comparison group tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. Thus, we did not observe an increased prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen or antibody in the study group and there was no significant difference between the Down syndrome and comparison groups. This is in contrast to many studies that originated in residential facilities where an increased number of persons with Down syndrome were found to have hepatitis B surface antigenemia. The related public health concerns are discussed.
Pueschel
S M
SM
Department of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital.
Bodenheimer
H C
HC
Giesswein
P
P
Dean
M K
MK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens