Hepatitis B Virus Screening for Internationally Adopted Children

[Guest guest]

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/122/6/1223

Published online December 1, 2008

PEDIATRICS Vol. 122 No. 6 December 2008, pp. 1223-1228

(doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2559)

Hepatitis B Virus Screening for Internationally Adopted Children

Stadler, MEd, MD, MSa,b, Adam G. Mezoff, MDc and

Staat, MD, MPHa,b,d

a Department of Pediatrics

b Division of Infectious Diseases

d International Adoption Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center,

Cincinnati, Ohio

c Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Medical Center, Dayton,

Ohio

OBJECTIVES. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of

hepatitis B virus protection, infection, and recovery among internationally

adopted children and to examine the need for repeat testing 6 months after

arrival in the United States.

METHODS. From November 1999 through October 2006, 1282 international adoptees

were screened for hepatitis B virus, and results were examined with regard to

age, gender, and birth country. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus protection,

infection, and recovery was determined.

RESULTS. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus in internationally adopted children

at our large international adoption center was 4%, including 1.1% with acute or

chronic infection and 2.9% with resolved infection. Overall, 64% of

internationally adopted children had evidence of hepatitis B virus immunization,

with protective antibodies. We also report a case that highlights the need for

repeat serological testing to detect hepatitis B virus infection or immunization

in internationally adopted children who might have been infected or vaccinated

just before adoption and thus not have serological evidence in initial testing.

CONCLUSIONS. These data reinforce the American Academy of Pediatrics

recommendations regarding hepatitis B virus screening and infection control

measures for international adoptees.

[Guest guest]

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/122/6/1223

Published online December 1, 2008

PEDIATRICS Vol. 122 No. 6 December 2008, pp. 1223-1228

(doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2559)

Hepatitis B Virus Screening for Internationally Adopted Children

Stadler, MEd, MD, MSa,b, Adam G. Mezoff, MDc and

Staat, MD, MPHa,b,d

a Department of Pediatrics

b Division of Infectious Diseases

d International Adoption Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center,

Cincinnati, Ohio

c Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Medical Center, Dayton,

Ohio

OBJECTIVES. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of

hepatitis B virus protection, infection, and recovery among internationally

adopted children and to examine the need for repeat testing 6 months after

arrival in the United States.

METHODS. From November 1999 through October 2006, 1282 international adoptees

were screened for hepatitis B virus, and results were examined with regard to

age, gender, and birth country. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus protection,

infection, and recovery was determined.

RESULTS. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus in internationally adopted children

at our large international adoption center was 4%, including 1.1% with acute or

chronic infection and 2.9% with resolved infection. Overall, 64% of

internationally adopted children had evidence of hepatitis B virus immunization,

with protective antibodies. We also report a case that highlights the need for

repeat serological testing to detect hepatitis B virus infection or immunization

in internationally adopted children who might have been infected or vaccinated

just before adoption and thus not have serological evidence in initial testing.

CONCLUSIONS. These data reinforce the American Academy of Pediatrics

recommendations regarding hepatitis B virus screening and infection control

measures for international adoptees.