The Trend of Hepatitis A Epidemiology in Children, Based on Two Studies in the North of Iran

Abstract

Background: Epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) is changing over time. Giving awareness of this issue can be developed as a plan to prevent complications of the disease; it is especially very helpful in high risk children, such as those with chronic liver disease. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the seroprevalenceof anti-HAV antibodies in children with and without chronic liver diseases during two different periods. Patients and Methods: Two studies were conducted on anti-HAV seroprevalence antibodies in children aged one to fifteen years who were referred to Amirkola Children’s Hospital (Babol, North of Iran). The first study was conducted on 73 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) in 2006, and the second study on 180 cases without it (NCLD) in 2011. Blood samples were collected from children and the sera were evaluated for anti-HAV antibodies via ELISA assay by Dia. Pro kit. Results: Seroprevalence of HAV was 17.8% and 10% in the first and second study, respectively. There was no significant difference in age, sex, and place of residence between anti-HAV negative and positive subjects in the studies. Conclusions: It appears that anti-HAV antibody seroprevalence has declined among children below 15 years with and without chronic liver disease, and it is likely that more children would be susceptible to HAV infection. Therefore, it is important to employ preventative strategies against HAV in chronic liver diseases.