Research Article
Anam Yousaf, Nawaz chaudhry
Abstract
Background: Viral hepatitis is a global issue. Among hepatic viruses (HBV) and (HCV) are important in South Asia including Pakistan. There are various modes of transmission of these viruses but vertical transmission is gaining importance day by day. Screening of (HCV) would help to reduce the prevalence of Anti-HCV among multiple transfused children. Proper antiviral therapy and screening of blood before transfusion can help to reduce the prevalence of (HCV). Methods: This study was a detailed, observational study carried out using non probability purposive sampling technique. The period of the study was from November 2009 to June 2011. 200 multiple transfused children attended outdoor department and indoor thalassemic children from thalassemia center were included. Informed consent was taken. A specially designed proforma was filled by parents to collect data about their knowledge and awareness regarding (HCV). Anti- HCV was tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Data were statistically analyzed by DSAASTAT (Onofri, Italy). Results: current investigation concluded that children with ages 12 years and more were maximum (HCV) reactive (31%) between 4 - 8 years (22%) 6 months - 2 years (19%) 2- 4 years (15%) and 8-12 years were (12%). Male children were reported 61% and female were 39%. Study concluded that total number of thalassemia children were 180, children with different types of leukemia were 10, aplastic anemia were 6, neuroblastoma were 2, while 1 each with thrombasthenia and CDA type-1. Out of 180 thalassemic children (24.4%) were reactive and (75.5%) non-reactive (100%) cases were reactive in Leukemia. Therefore, (16.6%) reactive and (83.3%) nonreactive cases were reported in aplastic anemia. Children with neuroblastoma, thrombasthenia and CDA type-1 were (100%) non-reactive. Maximum (HCV) reactive cases reported in Thalassemia children and most of them were belongs to rural area, exposed to poor socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Frequency of (HCV) was higher in population living in southern region of Pakistan. Previous history of blood transfusion, multiple injection therapy and unsterilized surgery were observed as key risk factors in (HCV) prevalence