Afzal Khan, Muhammad Aqeel, Syed Muhammad Tariq, Asmat Ara Khattak.
Frequency of hepatitis b surface antigen and its association with possible risk factors in hospitalized pediatric patients.
Pak Paed J Jan ;33(1):39-43.

Objective: To study the frequency of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) and its association with risk factors in pediatric patients admitted with hepatitis in Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar over a period of one year. Children with hepatitis admitted to pediatric department were included. The data was analysed for the frequency of hepatitis B and the possible risk factors associated with its transmission. Results: Out of 280 patients included in this study, 21 (7.5%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. 62% were male while female were 38 %. Mean age was 8.4+4.5 years. Most (90.4% ) of the HBSAg positive patient had injection in the past. 14.2% patient had various surgical and dental procedures, 4.76 % patient had blood transfusion, 6 (28.57%) patient had accidental cuts at barber shops while 10 (47.62%) patients had their umbilical cord cut through unsterilized instruments at home. None of these patients was immunized against hepatitis B. Conclusion: Hepatitis B infection is common in the pediatric population of our setup. The major risk factors seem to be injections, blood transfusions, surgical procedures, cutting umbilical cord with the unsterilized instruments at home which are easily preventable.

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