Hepatitis B Virus Seroprevalence Among Children With Cancer in Sudan.

Background: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B among children with cancer in Sudan is unknown. The aim of this study was to detect the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children with malignancy and its correlation with different risk factors.

Procedure: This study included 178 children with malignancy presenting to the Radioisotope Center in Khartoum during the period of May-July 2011. Sixty-four healthy children served as controls. Sera from patients and controls were investigated for HBV total anti-core antibody, HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and HBV e antigen (HBeAg).

Results: HBV total anti-core antibody was positive in 71/178 (39.9%), HBsAg was positive in 38 (21.3%), and HBeAg was positive in 19 (10.7%). Blood product transfusion, surgical exposure, chemotherapy, malignancy type, and sex did not affect the seroprevalence of HBV in this study. Vaccinated children had reduced rates of exposure compared to non-vaccinated patients.

Conclusion: There is a high seroprevalence of HBV in children with malignancies in Sudan. Vaccination appears to play a major protective role.