Efficacy of Primary Hepatitis B Immunization in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

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FULL TEXT: http://www.indianpediatrics.net/apr2008/apr-265-270.htm

Indian Pediatrics 2008; 45:265-270

Efficacy of Primary Hepatitis B Immunization in Children with Acute

Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Birol Baytan, Adalet Meral Gunes and Unsal Gunay

From the Department of Pediatric Hematology, Uludag University, Medical Faculty,

Bursa, Turkey.

Correspondence to: Dr. Birol Baytan, Uludag University Faculty of Medicine,

Department of

Pediatric Hematology 16059, Görükle Bursa- Turkey. E-mail: baytanbirol@...

Manuscript received: November 29, 2006; Initial review completed: June 12, 2007;

Revision accepted: October 30, 2007.

Abstract

Background: Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) carry a high risk

of hepatitis B virus (HIV) infection. The present study was conducted to see if

prior routine hepatitis B vaccine received as a part of national immunization

program could prevent HBV infection in these children. Methodology: Ninety-six

children with ALL were screened for HBV. Children were divided into three groups

according to their initial HBV serology; previously vaccinated children (Group

I) (n=34) previously unvaccinated and seronegative children (Group II)

(n=56),and unvaccinated but HBsAg negative and anti-HBs positive children (group

III) (n=6). Sixty-seven of 96 (69.7%) children received vaccination. The

schedule was initiated during the third month of maintenance therapy and each

course consisted of three doses given at one month interval. Results: Anti-HBs

seroconversion following the first course of three doses of hepatitis B

vaccination in group I, II and III was 57%, 33% and 100%, respectively. It

increased to 97% in Group I, 62.5% in Group II, 100% in Group III. HBsAg

positivity was found in 11 children (11.5%) and all of them developed chronic

hepatitis B. Ten of them were in Group II whereas only one child was in Group I

(P

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