title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among children and adolescents in Singapore, 2008-2010.
abstract: A national pediatric survey was undertaken to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in Singapore. The aim was to assess the impact of the national childhood immunization program against hepatitis B implemented for all newborns since 1987. The survey involved prospective collection of residual sera from Singapore residents aged 1-17 years attending inpatient services or day surgery in two public hospitals between August 2008 and July 2010. A total of 1,200 sera were collected comprising 400 in each of the three age groups of 1-6, 7-12, and 13-17 years. The sera were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). Four of the 1,200 samples tested positive for HBsAg, giving an overall prevalence of 0.3%. One and three in the 7-12 years and 13-17 years age groups, respectively, were positive for HBsAg. About 40% possessed anti-HBs (≥10 mIU/ml); the antibody prevalence decreased significantly from 63.8% in children aged 1-6 years to 32.8% in 7-12 year olds, and 23.5% in 13-17 year olds (P < 0.0005). The successful implementation of the national childhood hepatitis B immunization program over the last two decades has resulted in a low prevalence of HBsAg among children and adolescents. Singapore has achieved the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region's goal in reducing the prevalence of chronic HBV infection to below 2% among children aged 5 years and older by 2012 and to below 1% by 2017.
authors: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore. ang_li_wei@moh.gov.sg
authors: Li Wei
authors: LW
authors: Ang
authors: Su Hui
authors: SH
authors: Tey
authors: Jeffery
authors: J
authors: Cutter
authors: Lyn
authors: L
authors: James
authors: Kee Tai
authors: KT
authors: Goh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines