ABSTRACT

Dependent children with motor and mental dysfunctions are at a risk of communicable diseases, such as hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Data regarding HAV and HBV infections and need for homecare in these children remain limited. Previous studies have specifically examined spastic children. Here, we investigated the prevalence of anti HAV IgG, HBs Ag, anti-HBc total, and anti-HBs in retarded children requiring homecare.

This study included 95 disabled children admitted to Pediatric Gastroenterology between June 2015 and December 2016 for nutritional regulation. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HAV levels were evaluated by chemiluminescent assay ELISA (COBAS TaqMan 48, Roche Diagnostics, Pleasanton, CA, USA).

Among 95, 47% (45 cases) were females and 53% (50 cases) were males. Mean age was 9±1.7 (4-17) years. In total, 63% cases were anti-HAV IgG positive and 37% were negative. Moreover, 13% of the anti-HAV-positive cases were vaccinated and the remaining 87% were considered non-vaccinated. In total, 74% of the cases were anti-HBs positive, while 26% were negative. Furthermore, 81% of the anti-HBs-positive cases were vaccinated and the remaining 18% were considered as born before the vaccination program. The seroprevalance of hepatitis A was as follows: 4-7 years, 23%; 8-12 years, 32%; and 13-17 years, 45%. The seroprevelance of hepatitis B was as follows: 4-7 years, 21%; 8-12 years, 46%; and 13-17 years, 33%.

Despite previous research on the seroprevalance of hepatitis A and B and availability of healthcare services, our results in children with mental retardation were not different from those in healthy children. All cases received homecare instead of care at nursing homes. Healthy children’s vaccination program was also applied to children with mental retardation.

Keywords: Hepatitis A, hepatitis B prevalence, mental retardation, children