SEROLOGICAL MARKERS OF HEPATITIS-B INFECTION IN NIUE CHILDREN

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 98  (777) , 275-277
Abstract
Hepatitis B infection is hyperendemic in the adult population of Niue [Cook Islands, New Zealand]. The age at which infection is acquired and the contribution of vertical and horizontal transmission were determined from the sera from 1055 children tested for markers of hepatitis B infection. Eleven percent (11.0%) were found to be carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 33.6% had antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). While less than 15% of the population were infected before the age of 2 yr, these children had the greatest risk of becoming chronic carriers. The simplest method of controlling hepatitis B infection in Niue would be to immunize all newborn babies.