Gaceta Sanitaria
Volume 24, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 288-292

Indication of determination of antibodies against hepatitis C and A viruses in the protocol for the care of young immigrants [Indicación de la determinación de los anticuerpos para los virus de la hepatitis C y de la hepatitis A en los protocolos de atención a los niños inmigrantes] (Article) (Open Access)

Masvidal Aliberch R.M.* , Estabanell Buxó A. , Miguel Gil B. , Cruz Rodríguez C. , Frutos Gallego E.D. , Guzmán Molina C. , Riera Vidal D.
  • a CAP Dr. Lluís Sayé, ABS Raval Nord, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
  • b CAP Gòtic (anexo Rull), ABS Gòtic, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
  • c CAP Dr. Lluís Sayé, ABS Raval Nord, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
  • d CAP Gòtic (anexo Rull), ABS Gòtic, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
  • e CAP Dr. Lluís Sayé, ABS Raval Nord, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
  • f CAP Drassanes, ABS Raval Sud, Institut Municipal d'Assistència Sanitària de Barcelona, Spain
  • g CAP Drassanes, ABS Raval Sud, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate systematic determination of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) within the protocols for the care of young immigrants (PCYI). Methods: We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study. Antibodies against HCV and HAV were determined in children aged from 6 months to 15 years from low-income countries who had immigrated to Spain less than 12 months previously. Age, sex and country of origin were registered. The cost of vaccinating all immigrant children (with the HA vaccine and HA-HB vaccine, public health price and retail price) without screening was compared with that of vaccinating non-immune children only. Results: HCV antibodies were determined in 1055 children and only one was positive [0.09% (95% CI: 0-0.53%)]. HAV antibodies were determined in 992 children and, overall, 38% were positive (95% CI: 35.0-41.1). Distribution by country of origin was as follows: Central and South America (n=352) 34.9%, Maghreb (n=246) 44.7%, and India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (n=162) 58.6%. According to the children's age, country of origin, and the price of the vaccine used, HAV antibody determination in young immigrants before HAV vaccination is efficient. Conclusions: Because of the low prevalence of HCV antibodies in the pediatric immigrant population, systematic determination is not warranted. Evaluating HAV antibodies in each immigrant child could increase the efficiency of PCYI. © 2009 SESPAS.

Author Keywords

immigrants Hepatitis A Children Vaccination Hepatitis C

Index Keywords

Hepatitis A Antibodies multicenter study clinical trial human Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study Humans male Spain preschool child female Infant Child, Preschool Article blood migration hepatitis C antibody Hepatitis C Antibodies Transients and Migrants hepatitis A antibody Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77956718680&doi=10.1016%2fj.gaceta.2009.10.013&partnerID=40&md5=87c2b046a3656b4637b08776908bead4
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2009.10.013
ISSN: 02139111
Cited by: 9
Original Language: Spanish