Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV among multiply transfused thalassemic children treated at Tawam Hospital

The management of children with beta-thalassaemia major is based upon regular blood transfusions and prevention of iron overload. Blood transfusions, however, carry a definite risk of transmitting blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B [HBV], hepatitis C [HCV] and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV as well as the success rate of the immune response to HBV vaccine in 16 multiply-transfused children with beta-thalassemia major. None of our patients were hepatitis B surface antigen positive, and none were anti-HIV positive. Only 3 [18.75%] patients were anti-HCV positive. In spite of the administration of a full course of HBV vaccine to all patients, only 2 out of 16 patients responded. These patients, however, will require more booster doses of vaccine or a higher dose of vaccine