HEPATITIS-B SEROPREVALENCE AMONG CHILDREN IN A TURKISH HOSPITAL

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods in 1316 patients from Onkoduz Mayis University Children's Hospital to investi gate the epidemiology of hepatitis B in children from our region. The age range was from one month to 16 years. Seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs was 3.2 and 13.3%, and increased with age. None of the childr en had received hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B is an important healt h problem in our region, and all children should be vaccinated.