Hepatitis B carriage in children.
Prevalance of hepatitis B surface antigen carriage amongst children in the Bay of Plenty was high, with rates in Maoris five times that found in Europeans. (12.0% versus 2.6%). Carrier rates were highest in children aged 6-10 years. This age group also had the peak incidence of acute hepatitis B. Infectivity was greatest amongst younger children and diminished with age. Transmission between children within family units may be a major route of spread of hepatitis B.
D000293:Adolescent; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens