The Seroprevalance of Acute Hepatitis a in 0-18 Age Group Children Who Applied To Igdir State Hospital

Abstract

Objective: Hepatitis A is one of the most widely known infections in the world and has a significant role in the etilogy of hepatitis. Human beings are the principal reservoirs. The Hepatitis A prevalence is higher in children in developing countries. This study aims to detect acute hepatitis A seroprevalance in children between 0-18 years who applied to Igdir State Hospital from Feb 2010-Dec 2010. Material and Method: The existence of anti-HAV IgM antibodies has been examined in seras separated from blood samples taken from 990 children, whose ages range between 0-18, using Vitros ECI Q J&J Company Ortho Clinical Diagnostic macro ELISA device. The results have been evaluated according to age, gender and seasons using chi-square trend analysis. Results: In this study, the overall seroprevalance of anti-HAV IgM has been found to be 18.1%, 19.6% for girls and 17.0% for boys (p=0.304). In terms of age groups, the positivity rate is 2.1% in the 0-6 age group, 12% in the 6-12 age group and 3.7% in 12-18 aged children (p<0.001). On the other hand, the seasonal positivity rate has been determined as 4% between Februrary and June, 3.1% between June and September and 10.9% between Sept-Dec (p=0.002). Discussion: The positive results were evaluated statistically according to age groups and genders. The difference between the statistical analysis yielded no significance in terms of gender. However, the disease was most significnatly seen in the 6-12 age group which involves to primary school age. Seasonally, it was mostly detected between the Sept-Dec period. Coclusion: It is suggested that necessary precautions should be taken in order to prevent sewage water intermingling with drinking water during the time of vaccination for pre-school children and seasons of frequent rainfall.