Three years epidemiological study of acute hepatitis A infection in Al Elwyia pediatric teaching hospital, Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of acute symptomatic hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection among children in a hospital setting. Methodology: This prospective hospital based study was done over three years period (2014 through 2016) and covered HAV suspected pediatric patients coming to our hospital. The confirmation test used was total IgM antibodies to hepatitis A virus detected using Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA). Results: Out of 861 patients, 71.8% had HAV infection. The incidence was higher among males (75.5%). The age group (5-10) years constituted 69.5% of cases, while age group (1-4) constituted 23.7%. Reported cases were highest during August (17.10%) followed by October (10.6%) and lowest in April (5.2%) and March(5.9%). Conclusions: There was high incidence in children less than ten years old age and during summer months. More preventive measures including adequate sanitation and good hygienic practice are needed. Vaccination might be helpful in prevention.