ABSTRACT
Transfusion-dependent children are more prone to acquiring various transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), HIV, and others. Since the magnitude of these infections among thalassaemic children in Bangladesh is not well-known, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of TTIs among them (who received more than three blood transfusions) compared to their age- and sex-matched controls (non-thalassaemics and those who had never had a transfusion). Seromarkers for HBV, HCV, HDV, Treponema pallidum, and HIV were tested, and the results were analyzed using SPSS/Windows 10.5. Of 259 children studied, 152 (58.69%) were thalassaemic (mean age 6.8 +/- 3.6 years), and 107 were controls (mean age 6.7 +/- 3.53 years). The HBV and HCV-markers were found significantly more often among multi-transfused thalassaemic children than among the controls in terms of HBsAg (13.8% vs 6.5%, p < 0.04), anti-HBc total (39.5% vs 9.4%, p < 0.0001), and anti-HCV (12.5% vs 0.9%, p < 0.0001). HBeAg did not differ (p = 0.82) between the thalassaemics (9.52%) and the controls (14.28%), whereas anti-HBe differed (0% vs 57.14%, p < 0.003). Neither the thalassaemics nor the controls were positive for HDV, HIV, or T. pallidum. Since more thalassaemic children acquired hepatitis B and C infections through multiple blood transfusions, it is recommended that the safe blood-transfusion programme be strengthened and mass vaccination against HBV (even who suffer from HCV) in Bangladesh be undertaken.