The Risk of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Multitransfused Children with Hematological Diseases

Objective: Children with hematological diseases, who had received at least three transfusions, were included to estimate the transmission risks of hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections through blood transfusions at a Pediatric Hematology Clinic in Ankara, Turkey. Material and Methods: This study was conducted at Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Hospital, Pediatric Hematology Department, through 1 January 2004-1 June 2008. Children with the diagnoses of anemia, coagulation factor deficiency or leukemia and who had no antigen positivity for HBV, HCV or HIV at their first admission, were recruited retrospectively. After receiving three and more transfusions, their serologic results were re-evaluated for HBV, HCV and HIV. Results: The study included a total of 220 children, of whom 59.1 % were boys. The mean age was 9.1 +/- 4.25 years. After transfusion of 9402 units of blood products, the seroconversion rates were: HBsAg 5.9% (n=13), antiHCV 1.4% (n=3) and anti HIV 0%. Conclusion: The estimated risk HBV infection in children with leukemia and aplastic anemia, receiving multiple blood transfusions was surprisingly higher than the other groups. A prospective, multicentre study is required to estimate hepatitis and HIV transmission risks more precisely.