Hepatitis B infection among Iraqi children: the impact of sanctions

ABSTRACT

Effect of sanctions on hepatitis B vaccine availability and occurrence of viral hepatitis B among Iraqi children was studied. Between June 2000 and June 2001, families of patients attending the Public Health Laboratory, Mosul, for hepatitis B follow-up were screened. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test for HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBe. We diagnosed 74 children born 1994-1998 as HBsAg carriers. For 62 of 74 cases, parents had consulted vaccine centres promptly 41 were not vaccinated and 21 had only one vaccine dose. HBeAg marker was positive for 9 [14.5%] and anti-HBe for 50 [80.7%]. Parental reluctance was the reason for non-vaccination for 12. Vaccine shortages during the birth years of cases were documented, even after implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 986