New Data on Hepatitis B in Children, Adolescents

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New Data on Hepatitis B in Children, Adolescents

A VA study has found that a cohort of children and adolescents appears to be

growing up in the United States with high rates of immunity against the

hepatitis B virus (HBV). Among children aged 6 or older, 0.27% had chronic HBV

infection, corresponding to approximately 704,000 people nationwide, and 4.6%

had been exposed to HBV, corresponding to approximately 11,993,000 people. These

estimates are lower than estimates of HBV infection (0.42%) and exposure (5.1%)

that was reported in the United States between 1988 and 1994. The authors

reported that infection and past exposure were very uncommon among children and

adolescents aged 6 to 19. Children aged 2 appeared to have high rates of

immunity (68.6%). Adults, including those at high risk for HBV infection, were

found to have much lower rates of immunity. The authors noted that vaccination

of high-risk adults should continue to be emphasized.

Source: ls of Internal Medicine, February 28, 2011.