Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

   Background & Aim: Hepatitis A(HA) infection has different epidemiologic and clinical patterns, depending on the level of endemicity in a given geographic area. Iran is considered an endemic region for this infection therefore, we decided to assess the seroprevalence of HAV(Hepatitis A Virus) in children referred to Rasoul Akram Hospital. Patients & Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 288 children whose ages ranged from 6 months to 15 years with a mean of 5.73 years. The subjects were then tested serologically for total IG(IgG+IgM) antibody to HAV by using EIA(Enzyme Immuno Assay). Results: The overall seroprevalence among the cases was 50%(6 months of age=86%, 6 months-1 year of age=80%, 1-5 years of age=36.8%, 5-10 years of age=50%, 10-15 years of age=52.4%). As the results show, the seroprevalence of children between 6 months and 1 year of age is significantly higher than that of children between the ages of 5 and 10(P<0.000001). The female children had higher seropositivity rate than the male ones(63% VS 44% P<0.0005). The lower socioeconomic status the children had, the greater the prevalence of immunity against HAV infection was(low=75%, intermediate=49%, high=32% P<0.0001). Conclusion: It is suggested that IG be prescribed for post exposure prophylaxis, especially for children over the age of one and those who belong to higher socioeconomic status.