Frequency of hepatitis B virus infection among children with chronic liver disease

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of Hepatitis B Virus infection and clinical profile among children with chronic liver disease. Descriptive, Cross sectional Study. The study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Medicine Allied Hospital Faisalabad from 1[st] June 2007 to 31[st] May 2009. The data of all patients admitted with chronic liver disease during the study period was recorded for age, sex, gender, risk factors, and socioeconomic factors, duration of disease, clinical signs and relevant investigations. A total of hundred patients with chronic liver disease were studied. Among them 54% were male and 46% were female. 15% of patients had positive history of blood transfusion. Hepatitis B seropositivity was found to be 30% in children with chronic liver disease tested by HBsAg in serum. Chronic HBV infection is serious viral disease that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis B Vaccine should be given to all neonates regardless of maternal HBsAg status to prevent the disease