Hepatitis A seroprevalence and demographics in Turkish children in Ankara.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of hepatitis in childhood and an important public health problem. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A and patient demographics in children between 1 and 15 years old who were admitted to a pediatric outpatient clinic in Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
Hepatitis IgM and G antibodies were determined in the sera of children who attended the outpatient clinic. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects or their parents.


RESULTS
The mean age of the children (n = 335) was 7.9 +/- 2.1 years; 47.5% of them were girls. The overall anti-HAV IgG prevalence in children aged 1-15 years was 47.2%. The positivity of hepatitis A IgM was highest in the 6-10 years age group (22.7%; P < 0.001). HAV IgG was highest in the 11-15 years age group (69.4%; P < 0.001). A total of 95.6% of the children had social insurance, 49.3% were living in poverty. The socioeconomic level of 82.4% of subjects was low. The history of hepatitis in their families was 6.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis A is intermediate endemic in Ankara and children must be vaccinated before school age, in addition to health education and improved sanitation.
Sac
Rukiye U
RU
Department of Pediatrics, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. rukiyeunsal@hotmail.com
Bostanci
Ilknur
I
Dallar
Yildiz
Y
Cihan
Goksin
G
Atli
Ozlem
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies