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Publication Detail

Title: Hepatitis B virus screening for internationally adopted children.

Authors: Stadler, Laura Patricia; Mezoff, Adam G; Staat, Mary Allen

Published In Pediatrics, (2008 Dec)

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus protection, infection, and recovery among internationally adopted children and to examine the need for repeat testing 6 months after arrival in the United States. METHODS: From November 1999 through October 2006, 1282 international adoptees were screened for hepatitis B virus, and results were examined with regard to age, gender, and birth country. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus protection, infection, and recovery was determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus in internationally adopted children at our large international adoption center was 4%, including 1.1% with acute or chronic infection and 2.9% with resolved infection. Overall, 64% of internationally adopted children had evidence of hepatitis B virus immunization, with protective antibodies. We also report a case that highlights the need for repeat serological testing to detect hepatitis B virus infection or immunization in internationally adopted children who might have been infected or vaccinated just before adoption and thus not have serological evidence in initial testing. CONCLUSIONS: These data reinforce the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations regarding hepatitis B virus screening and infection control measures for international adoptees.

PubMed ID: 19047238 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Adoption*; Age Distribution; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Communicable Diseases/epidemiology; Developing Countries; Emigration and Immigration/statistics & numerical data*; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification*; Hepatitis B/diagnosis; Hepatitis B/epidemiology*; Humans; Incidence; Infant; International Cooperation; Male; Mass Screening/methods*; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sex Distribution; United States

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