[Frequency of detection of hepatitis B markers in various chronic diseases in children].

Overall 995 children with different somatic chronic diseases were examined for viral hepatitis B markers demonstration using up-to-date highly sensitive methods (hemagglutination inhibition test, EIA). In the control group (children with acute intestinal infections), HBV-infection markers were discovered in 4.3%. Children with diabetes mellitus (13.1%), chronic renal diseases (18.9%), pulmonary diseases (32.8%), bronchial asthma (33.3%) and hemophilia (85.2%) are attributed to the group at greater risk for HBV infection. As a rule, the rate of HBV-infection markers demonstration in chronic somatic diseases was higher in considerable duration of the underlying illness. The overwhelming majority of the children examined had suffered subclinical forms of HBV-infection as shown by the disease history, whereupon they manifested antibodies against HBV antigens. HBs-antigenemia, that persisted for a long time (chronic HBV-infection) was demonstrable far less frequently. The authors provide evidence for the necessity of carrying out a broad-scale screening of HBV-infection markers in the indicated risk groups and vaccination against hepatitis B in children without HBsAG and without immunity to viral hepatitis B. The importance of measures aimed at preventing infections transmitted via blood is emphasized.