Hepatitis C Infection Among Children with Beta- Thalassemia Major in Babylon Center of Hereditary Blood Disorders

Abstract

background: Hepatitis C infection is the most common cause of post transfusion hepatitis and end stage liver disease in many countries. B-Thalassemia major is one of the most prevalent hereditary blood disease word wide. Polymerase chain reaction is a highly sensitive technique for the detection hepatitis C virus-RNA in serumAim of study: To determine the percentage of hepatitis C infection (positive polymerase chain reaction) and possible risk factors in children with B-Thalassemia major in Babylon Center of Hereditary blood disorders.Patient and Methods: A prospective study was done on two hundred twenty six child with B-Thalassemia major (aged from 2 years to 18 years) that have been transfused with blood , as part of their management , at least 10 units of blood irrespective of their age , sex were included in this study from a period 1 of march 2013 to 1 of July 2013 in Babylon center of hereditary blood disorder in Babylon Gynecology and Children Teaching Hospital .Serum was stored at -20 then tested for hepatitis C (HCV antibodies) by ELISA, HCV antibodies positive cases were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test.Results & Discussion: Total number of patient was 226, male 129(57%), female 97(43%) with minimal age 2 years and maximal 18 years with mean age 8.4 with st. deviation 4.3 year. HCV Ab was positive in 17 (7.5%), only 12 (70%) were +ve PCR for hepatitis C and 5 (30%) were –ve PCR . There are significant statistical relation regarding the increase number of blood transfusion units (more than 150 units) P value 0.045, Huge splenomegaly (more than 8 cm) P value 0.002 , Abnormal liver enzyme with P value 0.032 , and male gender (P value 0.029) with +ve PCR HCV patient. There are no significant statistical relation regarding huge hepatomegaly (p value 0.107) and type of chelating agent (p value 0.107) with +ve PCR HCV patient.Conclusion: Children with B- Thalassemia major are more prone to get Hepatitis C infection especially if get blood transfusion more than 150 units, huge splenomegaly, abnormal liver enzymes and male gender.