Hepatitis C virus infection among paediatric patients attending University of Assiut Hospital, Egypt.
Few studies have evaluated the epidemiology and risk factors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children in Egypt. This study of 465 children attending Assiut University Hospital measured the rates of anti-HCV positivity by 3rd-generation ELISA test and of HCV-RNA positivity by PCR, with analysis of some relevant risk factors. The rate of HCV-RNA positivity among ELISA-positive cases (n = 121) was 72.2% overall: 100% in the subgroup with hepatitis, 70.8% in those with a history of multiple transfusions and 58.3% in those without hepatitis or multiple transfusions. History of blood transfusions, frequent injections, hospitalization or surgical procedures were significant risk factors for anti-HCV positivity by ELISA.
Kalil
K A
KA
Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Assiut, Assiut, Egypt.
Farghally
H S
HS
Hassanein
K M
KM
Abd-Elsayed
A A
AA
Hassanein
F E
FE
D000293:Adolescent; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral