The seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibody was studied among 2,749 childr
en and teenagers (1,438 males and 1,311 females) living in Italy. Anti
-HCV antibody testing was positive by both EIA and RIBA in ten (0.36%)
subjects. The positivity rate increased with age, ranging from 0 amon
g children less than 6 years of age to 0.8% among those aged 17-19 yea
rs X(2) linear regression = 0.038). Anti-HCV prevalence ranged from 0.
2% in northeastern regions and in Apulia to 0.6% in Sicily and Sardini
a (p > 0.005), and no difference was seen between males (0.35%, C.I. 9
5%: 0.04-0.66) and females (0.38%, C.I. 95%: 0.04-0.66) (Fisher's exac
t test = 0.565). From these data it appears that in Italy HCV infectio
n is an uncommon event during childhood.