Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Infection in Healthy Children from the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Objective: Community-acquired HCV infection was regarded as the main pattern of HCV infection especially after the implementation of the blood screening program in the Kingdom. Our aim was to determine the seroprevalence of community-acquired HCV infection in a group of healthy children from the western region of Saudi Arabia. Study Design: Blood samples were collected from children attending the surgical clinics for minor surgery at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah in the period between November 2001 to October 2003. Sera were tested for HCV antibody using a third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: 1059 children screened, mean age ± SD (7.4±3.7 years), range (1-18 years), 630 were males (60%). Four children tested positive with a mean age ± SD (7±3.1 years), range (4-11 years). Giving a seroprevalence of 0.38%. There was no difference in seropositivity according to age groups, p values was 0.9. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV infection in healthy children residing the western region of Saudi Arabia is low, which may reflect the general improvement in the standard of living.