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Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACK GROUND: Viral infection (hepatitis B and C) is a public health problem, especially in high risk patients, including the patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C in children on haemodialysis unit in three paediatric haemodialysis centers in Baghdad. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study which was carried out for six months data collection from (Jan. 2017 to December 2017) in three haemodialysis centres (children welfare hospital, Ibn al-Baladi Hospital for pediatric and central teaching hospital of pediatric) in Baghdad; all patients from (April 2013 to December 2017) at least six months on haemodialysis were included in study records, reviewed and analysed. Information's including demographic characteristics, history of blood transfusion, history of hepatitis B vaccination, serological investigations before starting of haemodialysis and serial monthly investigations of virology. The positive ELISA test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab) was recorded. The real time polymerase chain reaction (RT_PCR) had been done to confirm positive cases, follow up of antibody titer and in suspicious cases also done. RESULTS: Total number 178 of patients; 87 (49%) male and 91(51%) female. The overall prevalence of hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab) positive patients were 24 (13.4%), while prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive patients were 2(1.1%); seroconversion to hepatitis C antibody positive after hemodialysis were 14 (7.9%), while seroconversion to hepatitis B was 0 (0.0%) . CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Hepatitis C viruses' infection are not uncommon among hemodialysis patients in Baghdad. Blood transfusion and hemodialysis are risk factors for Hepatitis C viruses' infections. Infection control within dialysis units is of paramount importance.

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