Horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus in children
Journal
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Journal Volume
16
Journal Issue
1
Pages
66-69
Date Issued
1993
Author(s)
Abstract
Horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for about half of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers in Taiwan. To investigate the routes and risk factors of horizontal HBV transmission, 131 HBsAg carrier children of HBsAg seronegative mothers were compared with 98 age-matched children seronegative for all hepatitis B markers. Possible factors influencing transmission of HBV, including family size, age at attending kindergarten, frequency of intra-muscular injection during infancy and at the toddler stage, contact with HBsAg carriers, and HBV status of parents, siblings and caretakers were studied by questionnaire survey. Intramuscular injection frequency during infancy and at the toddler stage and prevalence of HBsAg positivity among siblings were significantly higher in carrier children than in the control group. Other factors studied were not different in these two groups. The results indicated that unsterilized, multiple intramuscular injections and intrafamilial spread among siblings might be the major routes of horizontal HBV transmission in children in Taiwan. ? 1993 Raven Press, Ltd.
SDGs
Other Subjects
hepatitis b surface antigen; article; contact examination; controlled study; family size; female; health status; hepatitis b; hepatitis b virus; human; infection risk; instrument sterilization; kindergarten; major clinical study; male; preschool child; prevalence; priority journal; risk factor; serodiagnosis; sibling; taiwan; virus carrier; virus transmission; Adolescent; Adult; Carrier State; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Antigens; Human; Infant; Male; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Type
journal article