Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Vaccination in Children Undergoing Hemodialysis

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Abstract
Among 54 patients, between 2 and 18 yr of age, submitted to hemodialysis due to severe chronic renal failure, the prevalence of hepatitis B [HB] virus markers was 66.7% and that of HBsAg was 13.0%. Eighteen children, with no evidence of hepatitis B virus infection, were vaccinated. Following 3 vaccine injections, only 2 patients did not respond and a 3rd one developed low anti-HB titers. The vaccine was well tolerated. No relationship was observed between the intensity of the humoral immune response and age, sex, type of renal disease and time on dialysis. Seroconversion rates (87.5%) and geometric means of anti-HB titers (> 4000 Ausab Units) of these patients are similar to those observed following vaccination of healthy adults.