Hepatitis B virus infection in children. A sero-epidemiological study in three endemic areas

Abstract

The occurrence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBs was studied in 254 children aged 0 to 19 years from three areas in Greenland and West Africa, endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Age specific prevalence rates for HBsAg increased in all areas until the age of 10 years while the prevalence of anti-HBs showed a continuous rise and reached maximum level of 44 to 80% in the age group 15 to 19 years. The study results indicate that in these areas infection with HBV occurs throughout childhood, and that HBsAg carriership is derived mainly from infection in the first decade of life, but not only neonatal infection, Such data are necessary for all areas in which attempts to control HBV infection are being made.