Epidemiological characteristics of acute symptomatic hepatitis A in Al Alwyia pediatric teaching hospital during 2013

F. Raham, Tareef; M. Abood, Assad

	Epidemiological characteristics of acute symptomatic hepatitis A in Al Alwyia pediatric teaching hospital during 2013
Al-Kindy College Medical Journal
Article 1, Volume 11, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 53-57
Authors
Tareef F. Raham; Assad M. Abood
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Concerns about hepatitis A infections is increasing worldwide specially after improving economic and sanitary conditions in many countries making older age groups who escape infection on early life vulnerable to infection. Objectives: The objectives were to estimate the frequency of hepatitis A among children consulting Al Alwyia pediatric Teaching Hospital during the year 2013 and to study some demographic characteristics of the disease. Methods: This cross - sectional hospital -based study was conducted during 2013-2014 and include pediatric patients (43525 patients) who consult Al Alwyia pediatric hospital during that time. The outcome is total IgM antibodies to hepatitis A virus detected using Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) the test is performed on 380 clinically suspected cases. The age distribution of the susceptible population is estimated using a simple catalytic model. Results: The age groups (1-4 and 5-–9) constitute 43.6% and 42 % of sero-positive cases respectively with a P value of 0.001. The incidence is more among males (56%). Incidence is more during June and July 40 %and 15.6% respectively with a p value of 0.001. 1.2% needed causality or ward admissions. Conclusions: High incidence in school age group might indicate the transition to older age groups and vaccinations should be considered at near future.
Keywords
Key Words; Hepatitis A virus; hepatitis A vaccine

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