title: The immune status of Singapore children to hepatitis B virus.
abstract: In a cross-sectional survey of hepatitis B immune status, 458 consecutive children below the age of 12 years were studied. 37.3% of these children were positive for one of three markers, HBSAg, anti-HBS or anti-HBC. 15.5% were positive for two and 1.3% were positive for all three. 10.9% were positive for HBSAg, 27.8% for anti-HBC and 19.6% for anti-HB2. The males showed a higher HBSAg carrier rate than the females, 13.5% and 6.8% respectively. This difference was significant (p less than 0.05). This study confirmed that the Singaporeans were exposed to hepatitis B virus infection from very early in life and in order to prevent the infection, immunisation should be considered in early childhood.
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D012846:Singapore; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens