Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in children admitted to an urban hospi

[Guest guest]

Journal of Infection

Volume 52, Issue 4 , April 2006, Pages 305-308

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in children admitted to an urban

hospital

Gerner, , Stefan Wirth, Philip Wintermeyer, Walz and

s Jenke

Children's Hospital, Helios Klinikum Wuppertal, Witten-Herdecke University,

Heusnerstr. 40, D-42283 Wuppertal, Germany

Accepted 1 April 2005. Available online 13 February 2006.

Summary

Background and aim

Hepatitis C infection is a global health problem affecting about 3% of the

world's population. However, very little data exists on the prevalence of

hepatitis C virus infection in childhood.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study in 2000 children and adolescents who

were treated as in- or out patients in our hospital. Blood samples were

collected between February 2002 and June 2004 and were tested for HCV

antibodies (anti-HCV). Positive samples were further investigated by HCV

specific PCR and Western blot assay.

Results

Mean age of children was 8.1 years. 908 (45%) were female and 1092 (55%)

male. One thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight were Caucasian, 37

African, and 65 Asian. 16 (0.8%) tested positive for anti-HCV. HCV-RNA was

detectable in one child (0.05%), and three were positive in the Western blot

assay (0.15%). The HCV viremic child had received multiple blood

transfusions after cardiac surgery. She was asymptomatic with normal

transaminases. Seroprevalence of HCV antibodies were equally distributed

among boys and girls.

Conclusions

The prevalence of persistent hepatitis C in children from an urban hospital

in Germany is low. Most patients with HCV antibodies are not infected.

Therefore, although universal screening is not warranted, it should always

be performed in risk groups such as transfused children because HCV

infection in childhood is usually asymptomatic.

Keywords: HCV; Epidemiology; Anti-HCV in children

Abbreviations: Anti-HCV, hepatitis C virus antibody; HCV, hepatitis C virus

Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 202 896 3832; fax: +49 202 896 3834.

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Journal of Infection

Volume 52, Issue 4 , April 2006, Pages 305-308

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in children admitted to an urban

hospital

Gerner, , Stefan Wirth, Philip Wintermeyer, Walz and

s Jenke

Children's Hospital, Helios Klinikum Wuppertal, Witten-Herdecke University,

Heusnerstr. 40, D-42283 Wuppertal, Germany

Accepted 1 April 2005. Available online 13 February 2006.

Summary

Background and aim

Hepatitis C infection is a global health problem affecting about 3% of the

world's population. However, very little data exists on the prevalence of

hepatitis C virus infection in childhood.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study in 2000 children and adolescents who

were treated as in- or out patients in our hospital. Blood samples were

collected between February 2002 and June 2004 and were tested for HCV

antibodies (anti-HCV). Positive samples were further investigated by HCV

specific PCR and Western blot assay.

Results

Mean age of children was 8.1 years. 908 (45%) were female and 1092 (55%)

male. One thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight were Caucasian, 37

African, and 65 Asian. 16 (0.8%) tested positive for anti-HCV. HCV-RNA was

detectable in one child (0.05%), and three were positive in the Western blot

assay (0.15%). The HCV viremic child had received multiple blood

transfusions after cardiac surgery. She was asymptomatic with normal

transaminases. Seroprevalence of HCV antibodies were equally distributed

among boys and girls.

Conclusions

The prevalence of persistent hepatitis C in children from an urban hospital

in Germany is low. Most patients with HCV antibodies are not infected.

Therefore, although universal screening is not warranted, it should always

be performed in risk groups such as transfused children because HCV

infection in childhood is usually asymptomatic.

Keywords: HCV; Epidemiology; Anti-HCV in children

Abbreviations: Anti-HCV, hepatitis C virus antibody; HCV, hepatitis C virus

Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 202 896 3832; fax: +49 202 896 3834.

_________________________________________________________________

Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!

http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/

[Guest guest]

Journal of Infection

Volume 52, Issue 4 , April 2006, Pages 305-308

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in children admitted to an urban

hospital

Gerner, , Stefan Wirth, Philip Wintermeyer, Walz and

s Jenke

Children's Hospital, Helios Klinikum Wuppertal, Witten-Herdecke University,

Heusnerstr. 40, D-42283 Wuppertal, Germany

Accepted 1 April 2005. Available online 13 February 2006.

Summary

Background and aim

Hepatitis C infection is a global health problem affecting about 3% of the

world's population. However, very little data exists on the prevalence of

hepatitis C virus infection in childhood.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study in 2000 children and adolescents who

were treated as in- or out patients in our hospital. Blood samples were

collected between February 2002 and June 2004 and were tested for HCV

antibodies (anti-HCV). Positive samples were further investigated by HCV

specific PCR and Western blot assay.

Results

Mean age of children was 8.1 years. 908 (45%) were female and 1092 (55%)

male. One thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight were Caucasian, 37

African, and 65 Asian. 16 (0.8%) tested positive for anti-HCV. HCV-RNA was

detectable in one child (0.05%), and three were positive in the Western blot

assay (0.15%). The HCV viremic child had received multiple blood

transfusions after cardiac surgery. She was asymptomatic with normal

transaminases. Seroprevalence of HCV antibodies were equally distributed

among boys and girls.

Conclusions

The prevalence of persistent hepatitis C in children from an urban hospital

in Germany is low. Most patients with HCV antibodies are not infected.

Therefore, although universal screening is not warranted, it should always

be performed in risk groups such as transfused children because HCV

infection in childhood is usually asymptomatic.

Keywords: HCV; Epidemiology; Anti-HCV in children

Abbreviations: Anti-HCV, hepatitis C virus antibody; HCV, hepatitis C virus

Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 202 896 3832; fax: +49 202 896 3834.

_________________________________________________________________

Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!

http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/

[Guest guest]

Journal of Infection

Volume 52, Issue 4 , April 2006, Pages 305-308

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in children admitted to an urban

hospital

Gerner, , Stefan Wirth, Philip Wintermeyer, Walz and

s Jenke

Children's Hospital, Helios Klinikum Wuppertal, Witten-Herdecke University,

Heusnerstr. 40, D-42283 Wuppertal, Germany

Accepted 1 April 2005. Available online 13 February 2006.

Summary

Background and aim

Hepatitis C infection is a global health problem affecting about 3% of the

world's population. However, very little data exists on the prevalence of

hepatitis C virus infection in childhood.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study in 2000 children and adolescents who

were treated as in- or out patients in our hospital. Blood samples were

collected between February 2002 and June 2004 and were tested for HCV

antibodies (anti-HCV). Positive samples were further investigated by HCV

specific PCR and Western blot assay.

Results

Mean age of children was 8.1 years. 908 (45%) were female and 1092 (55%)

male. One thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight were Caucasian, 37

African, and 65 Asian. 16 (0.8%) tested positive for anti-HCV. HCV-RNA was

detectable in one child (0.05%), and three were positive in the Western blot

assay (0.15%). The HCV viremic child had received multiple blood

transfusions after cardiac surgery. She was asymptomatic with normal

transaminases. Seroprevalence of HCV antibodies were equally distributed

among boys and girls.

Conclusions

The prevalence of persistent hepatitis C in children from an urban hospital

in Germany is low. Most patients with HCV antibodies are not infected.

Therefore, although universal screening is not warranted, it should always

be performed in risk groups such as transfused children because HCV

infection in childhood is usually asymptomatic.

Keywords: HCV; Epidemiology; Anti-HCV in children

Abbreviations: Anti-HCV, hepatitis C virus antibody; HCV, hepatitis C virus

Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 202 896 3832; fax: +49 202 896 3834.

_________________________________________________________________

Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!

http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/