Korean J Hepatol.  2001 Dec;7(4):387-391.

The Hepatitis B Carrier Rate in Siblings of Patients with HBV-associated Chronic Liver Disease

• Kong H
• Kim JH
• Cho NY
• Kim YH
• Jung KM
• Yeon JE
• Kim JS
• Bak YT
• Cho KH
• Park YK
• Byun KS
• Lee CH

Abstract

Backgrounds/Aims: This study aimed to estimate the seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with emphasis on the transmission of HBV infection between mothers and their children.
METHODS
For 452 patients with HBV associated chronic liver disease, and 1,098 of their offspring, who visited Korea University Kuro Hospital from February, 2000 to February, 2001, HBsAg was tested by radioimmunoassay.
RESULTS
Among siblings whose mothers were HBsAg-positive, the overall prevalence rate of HBV infection was 44.9% (140/312) and decreased with decreasing age (54.7% in > or =20 years old age group, 33.3% in 10-19 years old age group, 7.6% in <10 years old age group). The estimated proportion of perinatal infection out of modes of HBV transmissions in the general population was 38% in <10 years and 63.4% in 10-19 years.
CONCLUSION
The present hepatitis B vaccination strategies -especially against perinatal infection- of Korea have performed to their utmost. More effective methods for the prevention of HBV transmission are now needed.

Keyword

Hepatitis/Viral/HBV Infection; HBV Infection Rate; Perinatal Infection; Epidemiology

MeSH Terms

Child
Epidemiology
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Hepatitis B virus
Hepatitis B*
Hepatitis*
Humans
Korea
Liver Diseases*
Liver*
Mothers
Prevalence
Radioimmunoassay
Siblings*
Vaccination
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens