Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenaemia in children in a tertiary health institution in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
There is paucity of data on the seroprevalence of HBV infection in children living in urban areas of the Niger Delta of Nigeria. The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenaemia among children presenting to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), to determine the trend in the seroprevalence of HBsAg over a five-year period and to correlate serological findings to clinical features.


METHODS
A retrospective study of Serum samples from 251 children in UPTH aged > or = 16 years which were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen using Clinotech HBsAg kits and confirmed using the Trinity Biotec enzyme linked immunosorbent assay based HBsAg kits. Medical records of the children were also obtained.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of HBsAg among children tested was 12.4%. HBsAg prevalence was highest in the 11-15 years age group (24.5%) and the lowest in the 6-10 years age group (11.0%). There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of HBV positivity based on age groups (/ 2 = 8.47, p = 0.014). Prevalence rate was relatively higher among males (13.7%) compared to females (10.7%). There is a statistically significant trend in the decline of HBsAg prevalence 1999 to 2004 (/ 2 for trend = 11.38, p = 0.001). The predominant symptoms among children positive for HBsAg were hepatosplenomegaly (75%) and jaundice (64.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates a high prevalence of HBsAg among children presenting to a tertiary health facility in Port Harcourt.
Alikor
Edward A D
EA
Department Of Pediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Erhabor
Osaro N
ON
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014505:Urban Population
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens