[PREVALENCE OF ANTI-HCV IN HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN] / Prevalencia del anticuerpo contra el virus de laHepatitis C en niños hospitalizados.

ABSTRACT

In the last years, one of the causative agents of post-transfusion non A non B hepatitis has been identified as hepatitis virus C(HCV). In order to determine the HCV prevalence in a pediatric population, an anti-HCV determination through Cuban manufactured Microelisa system was done to 500 hospitalized children under 14 years old, of both sex, for six months. The samples repeatedly reactive were considered positive, the risk factors for this infection were evaluated and the Relative Risk was estimated. Seven patients (1,4% of the sample) were HCV-positive, and underwent clinical, biochemical, immunological, echographic, laparoscopic and histological examinations to determine the hepatic damages associated to the presence of this virus. The Relative Risk for HCV is 4,5 times more for those with previous surgical operation, 3,9 for those who have had more than four previous hospitalizations and, of 2,6 and 1,9 for those with previous transfusion and treatment with vaccine, respectively. The predominant histological lesion reported was a minimum damage of the liver cells. It is important to screen for HCV in blood banks and to study other possible routes of transmission. We recommend the follow up of these patients for the possibility of cronical sequela.