title: Transmission of hepatitis B virus from adopted Asian children to their American families.
abstract: In 1985, 6,991 Asian children were adopted by Americans. To estimate the risk that such children may transmit hepatitis B virus to their adoptive families, we conducted a cumulative-incidence follow-up study in the State of Washington. We examined the association between having adopted a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-seropositive Asian child and serologic evidence of past or present hepatitis B virus infection in adoptive family members. Seven (9 per cent) of 77 family members exposed to an HBsAg-seropositive child had evidence of past or present infection compared with four (2 per cent) of 232 nonexposed (relative risk = 5.3; 90% confidence limits [CL] = 2.0-13.9). The risk was higher for those with prolonged exposure and was entirely restricted to parents.
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Friede
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Shoemaker-Nawas
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000300:Adoption; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D007223:Infant; D007723:Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens