Age-specific seroepidemiology of hepatitis A, B, and E infections among children in Istanbul, Turkey

This study was performed for evaluation of seroprevalence of hepatitis A, B , and E among children in Istanbul, Turkey. The study group included 909 ch ildren who were 6 months-15 years of age. The children were separated to th ree age groups: Group 1 (6 months-4.9 years; n = 321), Group 2 (5.0-9.9 yea rs; n = 318), and Group 3 (10.0-15.0 years; n = 270). Group 1 was divided t o two subgroups for evaluation of the maternal antibody sera (6 months-2 ye ars and over 2 years). Serum IgG anti-HAV, anti-HBc, and anti-HEV were test ed by commercial ELISA kits. The data were studied by multivariant analysis . In all subjects, seroprevalence of hepatitis A, B, and E were determined as 29, 15.9, and 2.1% respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis A increased with age (p < 0.05; Group 1 15.1% and Group 3 49.6%). Anti-HBc IgG level d id not significantly change with age (Group 1 18.6% and Group 3 15.4%; p > 0.05). The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus infection was higher in Grou p 1 (3.7%) than Group 3 (0.3%; p < 0.05). In Group 1 first subgroup, betwee n 6 month and 2 year, antibody levels were 12.2, 17.3, and 4.8% respectivel y, for anti-HAV IgG, anti-HBc IgG and anti-HEV IgG. Hepatitis A and B infec tion is a community health problem, but hepatitis E infection is low in chi ldren in Istanbul, Turkey. The high positive rate in Group 1 for IgG anti-H EV may be due to maternal antibodies.