title: Prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immune deficiency virus markers among patients with hereditary haemolytic anaemias.
abstract: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) markers among Bahraini children with hereditary haemolytic anaemias, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the paediatric outpatient clinic of Sulimaniya Medical Center in the State of Bahrain. A total of 242 patients with hereditary haemolytic anaemias were enrolled in the study: 171 (71%) with sickle cell syndromes, 59 (24%) with beta thalassaemia major and 12 (5%) with alpha thalassaemia. Among the 191 multi-transfused patients, 39 (20.5%) had one or more markers for HBV, 78 (40%) were seropositive for HCV antibody, and three (1.6%) were seropositive for HIV antibody. In contrast, none of the 51 non-transfusion group was seropositive for HBV and HIV antibodies but one patient was seropositive for HCV antibody. HBV, HCV and HIV infections therefore remain a major hazard for children with hereditary haemolytic anaemias, despite blood donor screening. More refined and sensitive tests which would detect infection in all stages of the disease are required. Hepatitis B vaccine should be given to all children with hereditary haemolytic anaemias.
authors.affiliation: Sulmaniya Medical Center, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain.
authors.forename: F T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: al-Mahroos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebrahim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000745:Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001445:Bahrain / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral