Hepatitis C in Institutionalized Children

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Abstract
In studies of blood transfusion, a relation has been described between the transmission of the hepatitis B virus and the spread of hepatitis C virus.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Antibodies to both viruses have been found in the serum of infectious blood donors and in patients with hemophilia with previous exposure to blood products. The same relation may be present in other populations at high risk for hepatitis B, such as mentally retarded patients in institutions, As reported in the literature, between 3 percent and 53 percent of the residents of long-term institutions are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, and between 26 percent and 77 percent are positive for antibodies against hepatitis B core or surface antigens, or both.8 9 10