RESUMO
The relative magnitude by hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Non-A, Non-B virus (HNANBV) was determined in 496 children from three different parts of India suffering from acute viral hepatitis by tests for specific IgM class anti-HAV and anti-HBV antibodies in the serum. HAV, HBV and NANB infections accounted for 55.8 per cent, 20.2 per cent and 23.2 per cent of cases respectively. Hepatitis A largely (59.5%) affected younger children of 1-5 yr. Nearly a third of children affected by NANB hepatitis were additionally positive for HBsAg. The proportions of HAV and HBV infected cases respectively decreased and increased with increasing age whereas the incidence of HNANBV infection remained almost constant throughout childhood. Acute NANB hepatitis, a major health problem in the adults of India is also common throughout childhood. This study suggests that this infection does not impart long lasting protective immunity.