title: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus infections in paediatric oncology patients in Turkey.
abstract: One hundred and two newly diagnosed children with malignancy followed up at the Pediatric Oncology Department of Ankara Oncology Hospital were investigated for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus markers. The ages ranged between seven months and 17 years with a median of 10 years; 62 were male. Twenty-four patients had Hodgkin's disease, 11 had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 67 patients had other solid tumours. Four patients had positive HBs-Ag, 15 developed immunity against hepatitis B and had anti-HBs antibodies. One patient had a previous infection with positive anti-HBc. Hepatitis C virus antibodies were positive in only one patient. HIV serology was negative in all patients. These results show the high prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in paediatric oncology patients. In countries where hepatitis B is endemic, strict screening of blood donors, usage of disposable equipment and vaccination of patients is recommended. Although the incidence of hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus infections are rising, infection with hepatitis B is still by far the most common.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berberoğlu
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology