Transmission of hepatitis B virus from adopted Asian children to their American families.
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.
Friede
A
A
Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
Harris
J R
JR
Kobayashi
J M
JM
Shaw
F E
FE
Shoemaker-Nawas
P C
PC
Kane
M A
MA
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
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens