Risk and Prevention of Hepatitis B & C Viruses in Pediatric Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

H emodialysis patients are at an increased risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the prevalence of viral hepatitis infection and its genotype distribution among hemodialysis patients are unclear. The study aimed at determining the prevalence of HCV infection among pediatric patients on regular hemodialysis. As well as determining the immune status and response to HBV vaccination among pediatric patients on regular hemodialysis. The present study was carried out at the Pediatric Hemodialysis Unit, Children`s Hospital, Ain Shams University during the period extending from December 2012 to October 2013. It included all the patients attending to the unit (50 patients) according to their dry weights regardless their age. All patients were subjected to thorough history taking and clinical examination. The laboratory investigations included complete blood picture (CBC), liver function tests (ALT, AST, TSB, DSB), iron and ferritin. HBsAg and HCV Ab were also assessed for all the patients by ELISA technique. HCV Ab also was assessed using ORAT. Also the immune status against HBV infection had been assessed by measuring HBsAb titre for all the patients. The results of the study showed that the prevalence of HBV infection among the patients was 0%, as all the new patients were screened for HBsAg and HCV Ab, and positive cases were referred to another HD centers. While the prevalence of HCV infection among the included patients were 14% using ORAT and 12% using ELISA technique, with concordance rate 98% between both tests.