Prevalence of hepatitis B infection markers in Lebanese children: the needfor an expanded programme on immunization

This multi-centre, cross-sectional study was designed to reveal the present status of hepatitis B infection markers among Lebanese children, and provi de recommendations regarding childhood immunization policies. A total of 84 1 children, aged between 6 months and 65 years, were enrolled from Lebanon' s five districts. Their sera were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen an d hepatitis B core IgG. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B virus infecti on markers was 0.8 % with increasing age-specific rates from 0% at 6 months to 1.3 % at > 5 years. There was no statistically significant association between the presence of hepatitis B markers and family characteristics or r isk factors for infection. The highest prevalence rates were among children from Beirut suburbs (2.9 %) and South Lebanon (1.6%). The risk of horizont al transmission of hepatitis B to uninfected children increased substantial ly after the age of 2 years. An expanded programme on immunization that int egrates hepatitis B vaccine during the first year of life is needed.