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Ko, Bae, Chung, Chung, and Seo: Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B in Korean Children
Original Article

Korean Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 1999; 2(1): 40-45.

Published online: 31 March 1999

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5223/kjpgn.1999.2.1.40

Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B in Korean Children

Jae Sung Ko, Sun Hwan Bae, Ju Young Chung, June Key Chung, Jeong Kee Seo

Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

1Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Copyright © 1999 The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Abstract

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to investigate the seroepidemiology of hepatitis A and hepatitis B in Korean children.

METHODS

801 children aged 6 to 12 years were enrolled. IgG antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs), and IgG antibody to HBc (anti-HBc) were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

Of the 801 children, the seroprevalence of anti-HAV was 0%. Three (0.4%) were seropositive for HBsAg. The seroprevalence of anti-HBs was 61.8%. Two (0.4%) of 495 anti-HBs positive subjects were positive for anti-HBc. Of the 801 children, 658 (82.1%) had received hepatitis B vaccination.

CONCLUSION

Since natural anti-HAV is not acquired in the childhood, the outbreak of hepatitis A is possible in adolescents and young adults. The decrease in seroprevalence of HBsAg and the increase in seroprevalence of anti-HBs might result from hepatitis B vaccination program in childhood.

Keywords: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Seroepidemiology, Children

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