Journal List > Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr > v.14(1) > 1043531

Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Mar;14(1):67-73. Korean.
Published online March 31, 2011.  https://doi.org/10.5223/kjpgn.2011.14.1.67
Copyright © 2011 The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
An Epidemiologic Study on the Seropositive Rate of Hepatitis A Virus in Children of Gwangju and Jeonnam
Ji Jung, M.D., Young Joon Ahn, M.D.,* and Kyung Rye Moon, M.D.
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
*Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.

Corresponding author (Email: krmoon@chosun.ac.kr )
Received February 01, 2011; Revised February 26, 2011; Accepted March 01, 2011.

Abstract

Purpose

Recently, the incidence of acute hepatitis A has increased nationwide and is related to a low rate of IgG anti-HAV production. To establish effective measures for preventing hepatitis A virus infection, an epidemiologic study on the seroprevalence of anti-HAV is needed. Thus, we investigated the seroprevalence of IgG anti-HAV in children living in Gwangju and Jeonnam.

Methods

IgG anti-HAV levels were measured in a total of 1,435 patients who visited Chosun University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2009.

Results

The overall seropositve rate was 40.8% (586/1,435). The seropositive rates were 41% among children under the age of 1 year, 49.9% for children 1~5 years old, 51.1% among individuals 5~10 years old, 12.9% for individuals 10~15 years old, and 8.2% for subjects over 15 years old. There was no significant difference between genders in any group. The seropositive rates in Gwangju and Jeonnam were 57.3% and 32.9% for children under the age of 1 year, 52.5% and 44.3% for children 1~5 years old, 60.2% and 33.9% among children 5~10 years old, 14.1% and 9.7% for children 10~15 years old, and 10.8% and 4.2% for individuals over 15 years old.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated the low rates of IgG anti-HAV, particularly among subjects over 10 years old, which suggests the possibility of increasing clinical HAV infection rates among adults in the near future. We should actively prevent the spread of hepatitis A virus. Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing hepatitis A virus transmission among persons at risk for infection. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for children who have low IgG anti-HAV seropositive rates.

Keywords: Hepatitis A virus; Seroprevalence

Figures


 Fig. 1
The age related prevalence of IgG anti-HAV titers (years).
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Fig. 2
The age related prevalence of IgG anti-HAV titers (months).
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Fig. 3
Comparing the prevalence of IgG anti-HAV between Gwangju and Jeonnam.
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Tables


 Table 1
The Age Related Prevalence of IgG Anti-HAV (years)
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Table 2
The Age Related Prevalence of IgG Anti-HAV (months)
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Table 3
The Gender Related Prevalence of IgG Anti-HAV (years)
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Table 4
Comparing the Prevalence of IgG Anti-HAV between Gwangju and Jeonnam
Click for larger image

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