Arun Kumar Sharma
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, India
Title: Anti HAV and anti HBs status in children with chronic liver disease at a super speciality centre: need for urgent vaccination
Biography
Biography: Arun Kumar Sharma
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem in many countries. Besides infection of hepatitis a virus (HAV) in chronic liver disease (CLD) lead to decompensation with frequent hospitalisation. The immune status against HAV and HBV of children with CLD admitted in this hospital is not known whom vaccination can be advised.
Aim: The aim is to evaluate anti HBs status and exposure to hepatitis A virus (anti HAV IgG) among children with chronic liver disease attending Gastroenterology Department, Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
Methods: 182 children (103 males,79 females) of chronic liver disease admitted between April 2017 to April 2017 were included in the study (exclusion - Chronic HBV and Chronic HCV patients). Clinical features of patients, routine diagnostic investigations including abdominal ultrasound findings were recorded. Two ml of blood was collected from every patient and their serum stored at -20°C. Tests for detection of HBsAg, anti HCV, anti HAV IgG, and anti HBs were uniformly done on all samples by ELISA.
Results: Overall 143 children with CLD (78.5%, 143/182) had undetectable level of anti HBs antibody. Among 182 children of CLD, 156 patients (85.7%) were non-reactive for anti HAV IgG by ELISA. All patients were non-reactive for HBsAg and anti-HCV.
Conclusion: 78.5% children with chronic liver disease undergoing hospital treatment were susceptible for hepatitis B virus infection. 85.7% of these admitted children were also susceptible for hepatitis A virus infection. These patients needed recommendations for vaccination against HBV and HAV in present scenario.