title: The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A among preschool children in an urban setting in Turkey.
abstract: The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus (HAV) was investigated in 114 children (59.7 per cent males) aged 4-6 years, in the campus area of Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. The prevalence of hepatitis A antibody in this age group was 11.4 per cent (13/114). The rate of immunized children against hepatitis A was 3.65 per cent (5/137). In conclusion the prevalence of anti-HAV demonstrates the susceptibility of other preschool children to hepatitis A. This may be a cause for considering hepatitis A vaccination before preschool attendance in Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Middle East Technical University Medical Center, Department of Family Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. mungan@metu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ungan
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yaman
authors.forename: Nusret
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taheri
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G