Possible sources for transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in 80 Children in Babol, North of Iran

Background: To determine the possible sources for the transmission of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection to children in Babol, North of Iran. Methods: Forty-five boys and 35 girls with the mean age of 9.2±5.1 years were evaluated from 1993 to 2004. Hepatitis B viral markers in all the family members were assessed. The risk factors for other sources were also determined. Results: Sixty-five (81.3%) of them were HBeAg positive. Chronic HBV infection was found in the family members of 53 (66.2%) infected children. Chronic HBV infection was seen in 27 (33.8%) cases without any evidence of chronic HBV infection in their family members. Chronic HBV infected mothers were the most probable source of infection in 54.3% of the girls and in 24.4% of the boys (p=0.006). There was no evidence of chronic HBV infection in the family members of 48.9% of infected boys and in 14.5% of infected girls (p=0.002). Conclusion: The results of this study show that more than one-third of children acquired HBV infection in the society.